Suspected Hong Kong triad members held over lawmaker death threats

HONG KONG — Hong Kong police Wednesday arrested six people with suspected triad links over death threats to a newly elected lawmaker who advocates greater autonomy from China.

Eddie Chu was one of several rebel lawmakers to win seats in Hong Kong’s landmark legislative elections this month.

He and his family have been under 24-hour protection since the vote on Sept. 4 because of the threats.

Police told AFP six men aged 19 to 53 have been arrested for “criminal intimidation” in connection with the death threats to Mr. Chu.

They said initial investigations revealed they were thought to be members of triad organized crime gangs.

Television footage showed some of the suspects wearing black hoods and being led into a police station.

“Though I’m happy to see that the police have carried out the arrests, it doesn’t mean the threat to my family has been removed,” Mr. Chu said in a written response on his Facebook page.

“The power that is manipulating and intimidating behind the scenes and shielding the collusion between officials, business people, village strongmen and gangsters is still controlling Hong Kong’s political development and our lives,” he said.

Mr. Chu is an environmentalist who has campaigned against the destruction of heritage properties to make way for newer developments.

He has sought to expose shady political dealings in rural areas where local strongmen are influential and have been accused of having links to criminal gangs.

Triad gangs have traditionally been involved in drug- running, prostitution and extortion but increasingly operate in legitimate ventures such as property and the finance industry.

Some are believed to have links with the political establishment and there have previously been allegations of triads sending paid thugs to stir up trouble during protests.

Mr. Chu was one of at least five candidates in the semi-autonomous city pushing for more distance or even an outright break from Beijing who took seats for the first time in the Legislative Council, as fears grow that China is tightening its grip on Hong Kong.

Mr. Chu has previously said he was threatened because of his political views.

The legislative elections were the first major polls since the 2014 democracy rallies, with the antiestablishment camp increasing its share of seats in the legislature which is still weighted towards Beijing.

Mr. Chu, standing as an independent, emerged as winner in his constituency with more than 80,000 votes — the most of any candidate.

The election saw the highest voter turnout since Hong Kong was returned to China by Britain in 1997 under an agreement guaranteeing its freedoms for 50 years. —