Hong Kong: police arrest 16 other democracy activists
The arrested include members of parliament Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui Chi-fung. The allegations are linked to the Tuen Mun and Yuen Long incidents last year. Two weeks ago, the authorities arrested Jimmy Lai and Agnes Chow. Democratic Front: Law enforcement officers used as a weapon of repression.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Police arrested 16 people this morning for their role in last year's anti-government demonstrations. They include Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui Chi-fung, two members of parliament from the democratic opposition.
The two representatives of the Democratic Party are accused of " conspiracy with others to destroy property " in front of the Tuen Mun police station and of "obstructing justice". The fact dates back to July 6 last year, but according to various press reports, Lam and Hui actually intervened to mediate between the police and 400 pro-democratic demonstrators who asked the authorities to free the local city park from the continuous presence of noisy musical entertainers.
Lam, along with 12 other people, is also accused of having participated last year in the "riots" of Yuen Long, which took place in the midst of demonstrations against the extradition law. On July 21, 2019, a group of thugs attacked anti-extradition demonstrators and unsuspecting passengers at the local metro (Mtr) station. Dressed in white T-shirts (to distinguish themselves from the black ones of the protesters), armed with iron bars, sticks and other offensive weapons, the triad thugs violently attacked unwitting passers-by, leaving 50 injured.
The Democratic politician has repeatedly explained that he arrived in Yuen Long after the violence had already broken out, pointing out that he himself was a victim of the attack.
This morning’s arrests follow those made by the police on 11 August; 10 people linked to the democratic camp - including communications tycoon Jimmy Lai and activist Agnes Chow - were detained under Beijing's new national security law.
For the Democratic Party, and for the other opposition forces, the city authorities - backed by the Chinese regime - are using the police to suppress dissent.
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