Hong Kong: pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong arrested

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Joshua Wong at a demonstration on June 17, 2019, in Hong Kong. REUTERS / Thomas Peter

Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested on Friday (August 30th) on the eve of a new demonstration in Hong Kong.

With our correspondent in Hong Kong, Florence de Changy

According to Demosisto party chairman Nathan Law, Joshua Wong was pushed into an unmarked pickup truck on Friday morning at around 7:30 am as he walked between his home and the South Horizon subway station in his neighborhood on the island of Ap Lei Chau, covered with social housing towers and connected to the south of Hong Kong Island by a bridge.

BREAKING: Our secretary-general @joshuawongcf was just arrested this morning at about 7:30, when he was walking to the South Horizons MTR station. He was forcefully pushed into a private minivan on the street in broad daylight. Our lawyers following the case now.

He was taken to the Wan Chai Central Police Station. The police confirmed the arrest, but not his motives. Joshua Wong was released from jail on June 17 when he had completed serving a few months for obstruction and public disorder related to the umbrella movement five years ago.

A few hours later, police announced that she had arrested her, Agnes Chow, number three of the same Demosisto party.

UPDATE SITUATION: Our member @chowtingagnes has also been arrested this morning. She is being sent to the Wan Chai police headquarters, where @joshuawongcf is currently detained.

► Also read: Joshua Wong: In Hong Kong, " we face Emperor Xi "

Another student leader, Andy Chan, founder of a banned HKNP independence party, was arrested at the airport while leaving for Japan.

Hong Kong is preparing to mark this Saturday the fifth anniversary of Beijing's announcement of electoral reform to elect the chief executive by universal suffrage. The proposal categorically refused by the pro-democracy camp had given rise to the 79 days of "umbrella movement".

But Saturday's planned protest was banned by the police, who say they have strong reason to fear further violent outbursts (especially near Carrie Lam's home and large hotels). Especially since this march was for the Liaison Beijing office where clashes have already occurred on several occasions.

On Thursday, the general delegate of the organizers of the demonstration, the Civil Rights Front, Jimmy Sham, was attacked with a baseball bat in a restaurant by two masked men.