HONG KONG (AP) – Police in Hong Kong on Sunday detained 47 pro-democracy activists on charges of conspiracy under the city’s national security law, in the largest mass charge against the opposition camp of the semi-autonomous Chinese territory since the law came into force in June last year.
The former lawmakers and advocates for democracy were arrested in January in a comprehensive police operation, but were released. They have been detained again and will appear in court on Monday, police said in a statement.
They allegedly violated the National Security Act introduced by Beijing last year for participating in unofficial elections for the Hong Kong legislature.
The accused include 39 men and eight women between the ages of 23 and 64, police said.
The move is part of an ongoing battle against the city’s democracy movement, with a series of arrests and prosecutions of pro – democracy activists in Hong Kong – including outspoken activists Joshua Wong and Jimmy Lai – following months of protests against the government in 2019.
The pro-democracy camp held the by-elections to determine the best candidates to win a majority in the legislature, and intended to pass the major bills that would eventually force Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam to to thank.
In January, 55 activists and former lawmakers were arrested for their role in the by-elections.
Authorities said the activists’ participation was part of a plan to paralyze the city’s legislature and undermine state power.
The legislative election that would follow the unofficial pre-election was postponed by one year with Lam, who mentioned the health risks during the coronavirus pandemic. Massive resignations and disqualifications of pro-democracy lawmakers left the legislature largely a pro-Beijing body.
Among those arrested Sunday was former lawmaker Eddie Chu. A report on his official Twitter account confirms that he is charged with conspiracy to commit undermining and that he is denied bail.
“Many thanks to the people of Hong Kong for giving me the opportunity to contribute to society over the past 15 years,” Chu said in a post on his Facebook page.
Another candidate in the primary, Winnie Yu, has also been charged and will appear in court on Monday on her official Facebook page.
U.S. Attorney John Clancey, a member of the now defunct political rights group “Power for Democracy” who was arrested in January for his involvement in the primary election, was not among those detained on Sunday.
“I will fully support those who have been charged and tried, because from my perspective, they have done nothing wrong,” Clancey told reporters.
The security law criminalizes acts of undermining, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces to intervene in Hong Kong’s affairs. Serious offenders can be sentenced to life in prison. Nearly 100 people have been arrested since the law was enacted.