HK police make first arrests under new law

Hong Kong police arrested seven people on suspicion of violating the newly promulgated national security law.

In its official social media page, Hong Kong Police Force said the first arrest involved a man possessing a flag advocating Hong Kong independence in Causeway Bay on Hong Kong Island. Later, a woman carrying a placard advocating Hong Kong independence was arrested.

Around 1.30pm, some protesters at Causeway Bay started to occupy Hennessy Road, blocking multiple traffic lanes.

Vehicles traveling along the lanes were forced to halt abruptly, according to a government press release.

Given the huge crowds, some exits of Causeway Bay MTR station were temporarily closed.

A police officer was stabbed in the arm by rioters when he was making arrests. The suspects have fled and police strongly condemned such a violent act.

Police cited the law for the first time in confronting protesters yesterday.

“You are displaying flags or banners/chanting slogans/or conducting yourselves with intent such as secession or subversion, which may constitute offenses under the ... national security law,” police said in a message displayed on a purple banner.

Police fired water cannon to disperse the crowd and later said they had made more than 180 arrests for illegal assembly, obstruction, possession of weapons and for violating the new law.

The law will punish crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Yesterday’s arrest was the first since the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region took effect at 11pm on Tuesday.

The law was passed at the 20th session of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature earlier in the day. — China Daily/ ANN