The arrested include well-known lawyer Daniel Wong Kwok-tung, district councillor of the democratic camp and tenacious defender of many young people arrested during last year's demonstrations. All are suspected of helping 12 activists flee to Taiwan, who were then arrested and tried by the Shenzhen police.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - National security police arrested 11 personalities this morning, including the well-known lawyer Daniel Wong Kwok-tung, district councilor of the democratic camp and tenacious defender of many young people arrested during last year's demonstrations.
Police sources reveal that the 11 - eight men and three women between the ages of 18 and 72 - were arrested on suspicion of helping the 12 Hong Kong fugitives trying to reach Taiwan.
Of the 12 arrested by the Shenzhen police, 10 were tried and handed down sentences ranging from 10 months to three years; two minors have been returned to Hong Kong and await trial.
None of their families have been able to visit them and denounce human rights violations for the closed door trial or imposition of their defense lawyers.
Daniel Wong managed to break the news of his arrest at 6.10 this morning with a Facebook message.
He offered legal assistance to many arrested during the protests and also supported a campaign to open a café in Taiwan, called Aegis, where some exiles from Hong Kong could work.
Another Democratic activist, Willis Ho, former deputy secretary of the student federation, wrote on Facebook that his mother was also arrested this morning, again in connection with alleged aid to the fugitives.
On January 6, 1000 security policemen arrested 53 people from the democratic world. Most were released on bail the next day. According to many local and international observers, the security law is being used to eradicate democracy in Hong Kong.