Hong Kong police on Monday morning arrested three students on suspicion of inciting secession last month, police said.

The three were among eight males, aged 16 to 34, who were arrested for allegedly participating in an unauthorized assembly at the Chinese University of Hong Kong on Nov 19.

Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent from the police’s National Security Department, told the media on Monday afternoon that the eight suspects include students, social workers and two district councilors.

He added that the three who are suspected of inciting secession are students, but they are not connected with CUHK.

Police said that about 90 people participated in the unauthorized procession. Some of the participants painted graffiti on public property, shouted slogans and waved flags advocating Hong Kong independence.

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The university reported the incident to police. The force’s National Security Department later entered the CUHK campus to collect evidence.

Li said police will continue to investigate the incident.

According to the Article 21 of the city’s National Security Law, a person who incites others to commit an act of secession is guilty of an offense. 

If the circumstances of the offense are serious, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than five years but not more than 10 years; if the circumstances of the offense are minor, the offender shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than five years’ short-term detention or restriction.

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