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Hong Kong protests
Hong KongLaw and Crime

Former Hong Kong lawmakers among eight opposition activists arrested over illegal assembly

  • Eddie Chu, Wu Chi-wai and ‘Long Hair’ Leung Kwok-hung among those detained
  • Early morning operation targeted those who took part in annual protest march on July 1

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A crowd of anti-government protesters gather on Hennessy Road in Causeway Bay during an illegal march on July 1. Photo: Sam Tsang
Natalie WongandEmily Tsang
Hong Kong police arrested eight opposition activists, including three former lawmakers, early on Tuesday over an illegal assembly on July 1 – the first large protest after the enactment of the Beijing-drafted national security law.
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The arrests came a day after the force detained eight people in connection with a protest at Chinese University last month, accusing three of them of inciting secession under the sweeping legislation.
The city’s leader, Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, denied authorities were targeting dissent, but stressed police would not shy away from enforcing the law simply because of the “shield” that suspects enjoyed as “pro-democracy activists”.
Figo Chan (right), convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, organiser of the annual mass march, was arrested at home at 6am. Photo: Facebook
Figo Chan (right), convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, organiser of the annual mass march, was arrested at home at 6am. Photo: Facebook

Police confirmed the arrest of eight men, aged between 24 and 64, on suspicion of violating the Public Order Ordinance, including former legislators Eddie Chu Hoi-dick, Wu Chi-wai and “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung.

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Following their release on bail later in the day, the activists vowed to remain defiant despite the crackdown, accusing police of retaliating against them for sanctions levelled by the United States against 14 top officials in China’s legislature the night before.

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