Hong Kong’s National Security Department has arrested five individuals — two men and three women aged between 32 and 60 — on suspicion of offenses including aiding and abetting riot, conspiracy to incite riot, inciting riot, perverting the course of justice, and committing an act with seditious intent.

Approximately HK$250,000 in cash, believed to be connected to the case, was also seized.

The arrests took place on Tuesday (Oct 28) in Kowloon and the New Territories. Those arrested remain in custody, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further arrests.

At a press conference, Superintendent Cheung Pak-kit stated that the suspects are accused of manufacturing and supplying weapons to rioters who operated across several districts during the “black-clad violence” in late 2019. 

One of the suspects, a 34-year-old man, is believed to have repeatedly posted inflammatory content on social media, encouraging hatred against the SAR government and promoting illegal acts. 

Another 50-year-old female suspect allegedly attempted to help one of the male suspects destroy case-related evidence, thereby obstructing justice.

When asked whether any of those arrested had been among the defendants acquitted in the 2020 bomb plot case, police said the investigation remains active and that disclosing such details would be inappropriate. They stressed, however, that this is a separate case built on new evidence.

According to sources, a bystander in Wong Tai Sin District witnessed the arrest of one male suspect, who reportedly resisted and repeatedly shouted his name and phone number during the detention. Another female suspect was apprehended after allegedly trying to help him destroy evidence.

Police stressed that involvement in or support for activities that disrupt social order and endanger national security constitutes a serious crime. Rioting and sedition charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment upon conviction.

It is understood that one of the arrestees is Ng Tsz-lok, who was previously acquitted in the 2020 bomb plot case.

That case involved particularly grave circumstances, featuring not an isolated bomb attack but a series of coordinated explosive assaults constituting an extreme violent scheme targeting civilians indiscriminately. While three masterminds were convicted of conspiracy to cause an explosion, Ng — despite being identified as a core member — was acquitted in the earlier proceedings