Property manager 'paid' students to set off bombs

Five more people, including an Emperor Group employee and three secondary students, have been arrested by the national security department in connection to the Returning Valiant bomb-plot case.

The four men and a woman, aged 15 to 37, were arrested yesterday under Article 24 of the national security law for allegedly organizing terrorist activities.

Police also searched their homes and offices.

Among the five were a 17-year-old female secondary student named Yeung and a 37-year-old man named Lam, who works at Emperor Group's property department, who sources said are being accused of funding the pro-independence organization.

A spokesman for Emperor Group confirmed that one of those arrested was an employee at its property department and that he has been suspended from duty.

The group said it has been fully cooperating with police for the investigation. The group stressed it "strongly condemns" illegal and violent acts which challenge the laws and that it has "always supported safeguarding the core values of Hong Kong and building an integrated society."

Police escorted the employee to Emperor Group Centre in Wan Chai at 6pm yesterday. They stayed there for about 45 minutes.

He had been arrested in his home in Choi Fung Court, Ngau Chi Wan, in the morning. He was taken to a car park, where officers searched a private vehicle.

The suspect was later taken to Wong Tai Sin police station.

It is understood that the man has given tens of thousands of dollars to the arrested students "to set off bombs."

Another suspect, 28-year-old construction worker Wong, allegedly helped purchase explosive materials. Two male students, a 15-year-old named Law and a 19-year-old named Cheng, allegedly planned to set off bombs.

Sources said the arrested secondary students were from different schools.

Police also seized a 3D printer and printed gun parts.

The arrests bring to 14 those held in relation to the case.

On July 5, police nabbed five males and four females, aged 15 to 39, all said to be Returning Valiant members, for allegedly plotting to plant bombs in tunnels, railways and courts.

Baptist University public relations officer To Yee-sze, 39, and his wife were among the nine.

Armed with a search warrant, officers from the police national security department escorted To and searched his office on the Shek Mun campus in Sha Tin on Wednesday.

Officers also seized a small amount of the explosive triacetone triperoxide - known as TATP - in a Tsim Sha Tsui hostel room that police described as a laboratory for making bombs.

Those arrested also planned to use car bombs to cause casualties, police said.

Among the nine, three secondary school students have been charged with conspiracy to commit terrorist activities.

They are also accused of committing conspiracy under the Crimes Ordinance.

The three - Ho Yu-wang, 17, Alexander Au, 19, and a 15-year-old boy - appeared in West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts before chief magistrate Victor So Wai-tak on Wednesday.

Their bail applications were rejected, with the case adjourned to September 1.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com