Nathan Law fled to Great Britain; Sunny Cheung has not disclosed his place of refuge. The two, along with 24 other personalities of the democratic movement are accused of having participated in the vigil, violating the ban imposed by the police for "health" reasons, linked to Covid-19.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - An arrest warrant was issued yesterday against two democracy activists, Nathan Law and Sunny Cheung, currently in exile. The crime they are accused of is having participated in the June 4 vigil in commemoration of the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre. The vigil was banned by the authorities for health reasons related to Covid-19. In defiance of the ban, a few thousand people attended the vigil, all with face masks and at a safe distance.
Nathan Law, former Occupy Central leader and parliamentarian, fled to Britain in late June, before the security law was passed. Sunny Cheung also left Hong Kong, but for security reasons he did not disclose his place of refuge.
Together with the two exiles, 24 other people of the democratic movement are charged. The most prominent include Lee Cheuk-yan, trade unionist and parliamentarian; Jimmy Lai, founder of the "Apple Daily" newspaper; Joshua Wong, a young leader of the movement, and many others.
Lee Cheuk-yan, head of the Alliance in Support of Democratic and Patriotic Movements, organizer of the vigil, is also accused of holding an unauthorized assembly.
Until a few months ago, perhaps there would never have been such a warrant. But now, after the enacting of the new security law, wanted by Beijing for the territory, the "crimes" are being prosecuted with greater zeal.
Yesterday, before the West Kowloon Court, which issued the arrest warrants, a group led by Lee Cheuk-yan - along with several of the accused (photo 2) - held a demonstration by displaying signs reading "Let's oppose political charges” and "innocent to mourn June 4 "(photo 3).