A spokesman of the Hong Kong police explains the case of two men suspected of making or possessing explosives, during the press conference at Wan Chai Police Headquarters on Dec 5, 2023. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Hong Kong police said they arrested two men on Sunday suspected of making or possessing explosives, as well as engaging in anti-government activities.
According to Chief Inspector Wong Chi-yu, the suspects, aged 33 and 34, were detained in the vicinity of Nam Fung Road in Wong Chuk Hang.
The chemical materials seized during the investigation of searching the suspects' residences in Ap Lei Chau and Chai Wan are displayed during the press conference at Wan Chai Police Headquarters on Dec 5, 2023. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Wong said the arrest showed that there are still troublemakers in the city.
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Wong told a press conference on Tuesday that although there was no evidence to connect the case to this coming Sunday’s District Council elections, the two were believed to be anti-government, as political leaflets found at their residences and phone records showed their participation in anti-government social media groups.
Upon investigating the underground chamber, authorities discovered a cache of homemade incendiary devices, including a furnace, metal containers connected to chimneys, as well as approximately 1 kilogram of chemicals stored in containers
Detectives are investigating whether the men had any accomplices; more arrests could be made as the investigation continues.
The suspects were caught at the scene with axes and sickles in their possession.
A hidden underground chamber, approximately half a meter deep, covered with wooden boards and camouflage waterproof cloth, was discovered on a nearby mountainside, according to the police.
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Upon investigating the underground chamber, authorities discovered a cache of homemade incendiary devices, including a furnace, metal containers connected to chimneys, as well as approximately 1 kilogram of chemicals stored in containers. A used chemical packaging bag was also recovered from the scene.
Further investigation led the police to search the suspects' residences in Ap Lei Chau and Chai Wan. Inside the premises, officers uncovered a substantial quantity of chemical raw materials and chemicals weighing a total of 30 kilograms.
The chemical materials seized during the investigation of searching the suspects' residences in Ap Lei Chau and Chai Wan are displayed during the press conference at Wan Chai Police Headquarters on Dec 5, 2023. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Some of these materials were found to be capable of being transformed into different types of explosives. There were also electronic scales, a distillation apparatus, laboratory equipment, and notebooks containing instructions for manufacturing chemical substances were discovered, indicating a potentially sophisticated operation.
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The police emphasized that the seized chemical materials are commonly available for household or industrial purposes and can be easily obtained in the market. However, these substances, when processed correctly, could be transformed into highly dangerous explosives such as TATP and nitroamines.
The chemical materials seized during the investigation of searching the suspects' residences in Ap Lei Chau and Chai Wan are displayed during the press conference at Wan Chai Police Headquarters on Dec 5, 2023. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)
Investigations also revealed that the two suspects had initially met online. While their specific objectives remain unclear, political propaganda leaflets were found within their residences. The police believe that the pair were still experimenting in the making the explosives.
Moreover, both suspects were found to be active participants in anti-government social media groups, reflecting their apparent opposition to the authorities.
The police said the two will be charged with three counts of producing and possessing controlled explosives. They remain in police custody.
