A young Hong Kong activist has been detained under Beijing’s sweeping security law while he was allegedly trying to seek asylum at the US consulate.
Tony Chung, 19, was led away from a coffee shop opposite the consulate in the city by unidentified men, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a staff reporter who witnessed events.
Chung’s arrest was first revealed by a group known as ‘Friends of Hong Kong’, who claimed its members had been trying to arrange for the activist to make an asylum application via the US consulate.
Police later confirmed the news, claiming Chung was linked to an ongoing investigation for allegedly ‘inciting secession’, one of the offences under China’s new new security law.
Tony Chung (pictured), 19, was led away from a coffee shop opposite the consulate by unidentified men, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a staff reporter
Student Localism, a pro-independence group that Chung was once involved in before the security law was passed, said he and two other former members were arrested on Tuesday.
Police later confirmed the three arrests, saying they were linked to an ongoing investigation into the group allegedly ‘inciting secession’, one of the new national security offences.
Chung was among the first arrested under Beijing’s new national security law in late July but later released on bail.
A previously unknown group calling itself ‘Friends of Hong Kong’ first alerted media to Chung’s arrest on Tuesday morning by issuing a statement saying its members had been trying to arrange for him to make an asylum application via the US consulate.
A young Hong Kong activist has been detained under Beijing’s sweeping security law after he was allegedly trying to seek asylum at the US consulate. In this file photo, protesters are seen taking part in a demonstration during China’s National Day in Hong Kong on October 1
Hundreds of officers in riot gear are seen patrolling and heckling pro-democracy activists who were marching against a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. A police officer displays a warning banner on China’s National Day in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong on October 1
‘Our plan was for him to enter the consulate office today,’ a member of the group, who asked not to be named, told AFP.
AFP was not able to independently verify the group’s claim that it was helping Chung make an asylum application.
Its statement said members witnessed four men walk into the coffee shop opposite the consulate at 8.15 am and detain Chung.
Dashcam footage obtained by AFP from a car parked opposite the building at that time showed three men wearing surgical masks escorting another man in a dark t-shirt who appears to have his hands behind his back.
Beijing imposed its new security law on Hong Kong in June following last year’s huge and often violent pro-democracy protests. A pro-democracy protester is pictured holding up a Apple Daily newspaper in sign of support during a banned protest in Hong Kong on October 1
Critics say its broad wording criminalises a wide array of political speech and views, including calling for independence or greater autonomy for Hong Kong. Riot police officers stop and search protesters during a banned protest in Hong Kong on October 1, China’s National Day
The Friends of Hong Kong member told AFP the clothes worn by the escorted man matched what Chung was wearing that morning.
The US consulate did not respond to enquiries seeking information.
Human rights groups slammed the Tuesday arrests as ‘the latest example of Beijing acting in violation of international law and their human rights commitments’.
Johnny Patterson, policy director of Hong Kong Watch, said: ‘The National Security Law is an appalling assault on Hong Kong’s fundamental freedoms and the rule of law which introduces vague thought crimes and excessive sentencing into Hong Kong’s legislation.’
The UK-based NGO also called for the intervention of a special UN envoy for Hong Kong while urging governments to apply sanctions ‘against those responsible for the rapid deterioration of human rights in the city’.
Pro-democracy activists including Joshua Wong (pictured second to the left) are pictured as they distribute leaflets in Hong Kong, China, on October 20 to show support of the 12 Hongkongers detained in Mainland China after allegedly trying to flee to Taiwan in August
Beijing imposed its new security law on Hong Kong in June following last year’s huge and often violent pro-democracy protests. A flag-raising ceremony marks China’s National Day at Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong is pictured taking place on October 1
Beijing imposed its new security law on Hong Kong in June following last year’s huge and often violent pro-democracy protests.
It targets four types of crime — secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion.
Critics say its broad wording criminalises a wide array of political speech and views, including calling for independence or greater autonomy for Hong Kong.
The security law also allows China’s security agents to operate openly in Hong Kong, unbound by local laws. They operate out of a recently requisitioned hotel.
Police check pedestrians during China’s National Day in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong today
Chung was the first public figure to be arrested under the law. He and three others, including a 16-year-old, were arrested for allegedly ‘inciting secession’ via social media posts.
They are banned from leaving Hong Kong while the investigation remains ongoing.
Student Localism says its Hong Kong chapter disbanded before the security law was enacted and that its activists are now based abroad.
As Beijing cracks down on its critics in the financial hub, a small but growing number of Hong Kongers have made asylum claims overseas.
Activists say Canada and Germany have become the first to grant sanctuary to successful applicants.