Elderly activist Koo Sze-yiu arrested by national security police: sources

Elderly Hong Kong activist Koo Sze-yiu has been arrested by national security police for attempting to do acts with seditious intent, according to sources. 

This came as police said on Friday that they mounted an operation this morning and arrested a 77-year-old man in Cheung Sha Wan. 

“The arrested man is being detained for further enquiries and the investigation is underway,” police said in a statement. 

It is understood that Koo planned to display anti-election banners at the registration and electoral office in Cheung Sha Wan this morning in protest of candidates from the pro-democracy camp being unable to stand in this year’s election. 

He had informed police earlier but was arrested at his home before leaving. 

Koo, who suffers from terminal stage colorectal cancer, was most recently jailed for nine months for planning to carry a coffin in protest outside the Chinese liaison office on the opening day of the Beijing Winter Olympics. 

Yet, he was arrested before his one-man protest even began. He was also convicted of attempting to do an act with seditious intent. Prior to this he had been jailed 11 times. 

Police reminded the public that attempting to act with seditious intent is a serious criminal offense and offenders could face two years’ imprisonment on first conviction and three years’ on subsequent conviction.