In Hong Kong, two opposition parliamentarians arrested

Despite international criticism, Beijing is continuing its policy of firmness towards the opposition in Hong Kong. Two Hong Kong opposition parliamentarians were arrested on August 26 on suspicion of participating in pro-democracy protests in the summer of 2019.

Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui were arrested early in the morning at their home, according to their Democratic Party. Police confirmed their arrests, along with at least ten other people.

Yuen Long's attack 

On the Democratic Party's Facebook page, it is stated that the two men are suspected of having participated in a demonstration on July 21, 2019. On that day, demonstrators in the city center threw black paint against the Hong Kong Liaison Office, the most important representative body in Beijing.

At the same time, in Yuen Long district, a group of around 100 men attacked pro-democracy activists including Lam Chauk-ting. Wounded in the face, the parliamentarian - who broadcast live images of the attack on Facebook - was hospitalized.

The police had been slow to arrive and some police officers had been filmed letting the armed attackers go. This had contributed to fuel the distrust of the population towards the police.

A filmed arrest

According to a post sent by the administrator of Lam Cheuk-ting's account, the parliamentarian is also accused of "conspiring to damage public property and obstruct the course of justice in Tuen Mun on July 6 2019 ". 

Admin: @cheuktinglam has been arrest. He is accused of rioting in Yuen Long on July 21 2019.

The Police also accused him of conspiring with others to damage property and obstructing the course of justice in Tuen Mun on July 6 2019

He is currently in the Sha Tin Police Station.

Ted Hui's office also released a video of his arrest, in which police say he is being prosecuted, among other things, for attempting to obstruct justice. His party said his arrest was also linked to a demonstration on July 6, 2019.

Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui sit in the opposition in the Legislative Council (LegCo, local parliament), where they do not hesitate to criticize the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities head-on. 

Amnesty denounces Beijing "persecution of dissidents" 

Hong Kong experienced its worst political crisis from June to December 2019 since its handover to China in 1997, with almost daily demonstrations denouncing the decline in freedoms and interference from Beijing. 

Far from giving in to the people's appeal, Beijing imposed a drastic national security law on the territory at the end of June, which has helped to considerably strengthen the grip of the Chinese central power over Hong Kong. Many activists for democracy denounce a liberticidal text.

A dozen figures from the pro-democracy movement were also banned in July from standing in the next LegCo elections. And more than 9,000 people have been arrested in Hong Kong since June 2019.

Amnesty International in Hong Kong on August 26 denounces "yet another round of mass arrests of pro-democracy activists [who] are the latest example of how the Hong Kong government is using the law as a weapon to persecute dissidents" .

A fresh round of mass arrest of pro-democracy activists today is the latest example of how the Hong Kong government is weaponizing the law to persecute dissidents.
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With Reuters and AFP

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