FILE PHOTO: A general view of skyline buildings in Hong Kong, China May 28, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo
November 1, 2020
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Seven prominent opposition politicians were arrested in Hong Kong on Sunday on charges related to obstructing a legislative council meeting in May, they said on Facebook, a move that comes after Beijing passed a contentious security law in June.
The arrests, which took place early in the morning, did not appear to be directly linked to the law but come as police have arrested around 30 under the legislation in recent months.
Opposition politicians Wu Chi Wai, Andrew Wan, Helena Wong, Kwok Wing Kin, Eddie Chu, Raymond Chan and Fernando Cheung announced their arrests on their individual Facebook pages.
Beijing imposed the national security law on its freest city on June 30, a move widely condemned by Western governments and human rights groups. The law punishes what Beijing broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.
Critics of the legislation say it represents the latest move by Beijing to tighten its grip over the former British colony and erode its judicial independence.
(This story corrects to changes lawmakers to opposition politicians in headline, first and third paragraphs.)
(Reporting by Yanni Chow; Writing by Farah Master; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and Frances Kerry)
