Lam talks healing divisions, protesters face prosecution

Organisers of pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong to face charges

Hong Kong, March 27: Hong Kong police on Monday told at least nine organisers of 2014’s prodemocracy demonstrations will face charges, protest leaders said, an ominous sign just a day after a new Beijing-backed leader was chosen, vowing to unite society.

The move, which has already provoked anger and disbelief among democrats, heightened political tension in the Chinese-ruled city, with a protest rally to be held outside police headquarters in the Wanchai bar district on Monday .

Former chief secretary Carrie Lam was chosen by a 1,200-person committee to lead the city, pledging in her victory speech to unite political divisions that have hindered policy-making and legislative work.

But the timing of the telephone calls, almost two-and-a-half years after the protests brought parts of the city to a standstill for months, is unlikely to help heal wounds.

Sociology professor Chan Kin-man, one of the core protest leaders, said police told him he would be charged with three crimes, including participating and inciting others to participate in “public nuisance”.

“I am already mentally prepared for this, but I am very worried about Hong Kong’s future,” Mr Chan said.

It wasn’t immediately clear why authorities had waited so long to pursue the charges. The police did not comment.

Asked by reporters about the timing, Ms Lam said she couldn’t intervene with prosecutions carried out by the administration of incumbent leader Leung Chun-ying.

“I made it very clear that I want to unite society and bridge the divide that has been causing us concern, but all these actions should not compromise the rule of law in Hong Kong and also the independent prosecution process that I have just mentioned,” said Ms Lam, who will take office on July 1.

Mr Chan, however, disputed this.

“The message is strong. Carrie Lam said she wanted to mend the society, but the message we got today is prosecution. I don’t see how the society’s cracks can be mended,” Mr Chan added.

Hong Kong returned from British to Chinese rule in 1997, with the promise of a high degree of autonomy and other freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, but Communist Party rulers in Beijing never hid their anger at the protests which they deemed illegal. Lawmaker Tanya Chan said at least nine protest leaders including herself received calls from the police notifying them of their charges.

Another protest leader, University of Hong Kong law professor, Benny Tai, confirmed by text he had been contacted by police.