Protesters build barricades during an anti-government rally in Hong Kong on Jan 1, 2020.
(ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
HONG KONG - More than 10 public figures in Hong Kong were reported to have been arrested in connection to unauthorized assemblies in the often violent anti-government protests that started last June.
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Police said 15 people were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of organizing or participating in unauthorized assemblies on Aug 18, Oct 1 and Oct 20 last year and all suspects would be charged
Local media reports on Saturday, citing sources that included a message in one of the arrestees’ social media update, said among those arrested were businessman Jimmy Lai Chi-ying, politicians Leung Kwok-hung, Au Nok-hin, and other opposition leaders, including Martin Lee Chu-ming.
Hong Kong police said Saturday afternoon that 15 people were arrested earlier in the day on suspicion of organizing or participating in unauthorized assemblies on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon on Aug 18, Oct 1 and Oct 20 last year.
All of the suspects would be charged and their cases would be heard in court on May 18, said Superintendent of crime headquarters of Hong Kong Island Lin Ying-ho at a media briefing on Saturday.
In response to media queries regarding the arrests, a spokesman for the Security Bureau said the arrests were made based on evidence from investigations and strictly according to the laws in force.
"Under section 10 of the Police Force Ordinance (Cap. 232), police have the duty to take lawful measures for apprehending all persons whom it is lawful to apprehend and for whose apprehension sufficient grounds exists," the spokesperson said in a statement issued on Saturday afternoon.
"In Hong Kong, everyone is equal before the law. No one is above it nor can anyone break it without facing consequences. If there is evidence that anyone violates the law, no matter what his/her status or background is, he/she must face justice. No one has any special privileges," the spokesman said.
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Police will handle the case in a fair, just and impartial manner in accordance with the law, the spokesmand added.
According to Article 17 of the Public Order Ordinance, participants of illegal assembly face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The anti-government protests, triggered by the now-withdrawn extradition bill, erupted last June and extended into this year. In many occasions, protesters defied police orders by gathering in unauthorized assemblies. Some radical protesters broke loose in groups vandalizing public properties and the mass transit railway stations, blocking traffic and throwing firebombs at the police.
In February, Lai was held for alleged participation in an unauthorized assembly on Aug 31 last year. Lai was later released on bail. The case is scheduled to be heard on May 5.
