Opposition activist arrested for sedition

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong police's national security unit on Sunday arrested a 47-year-old man on suspicion on uttering seditious words.

Local media revealed the man to be opposition activist Tam Tak-chi, vice-chairman of radical opposition party People Power. Tam confirmed on his social media account that he was detained by the national security unit and brought to Tai Po police station.

Without confirming the identity of the arrestee, Steve Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent from the police's new national security squad, told reporters that the man was arrested for sedition in public or on social media.

According to Li, between late June and August, the arrested man set up street booths for anti-pandemic reasons 29 times in various districts. But the wording he used in his talks brought hatred, contempt against the government and raised residents' discontent in society, Li added.

Li said the police initiated an investigation on the grounds of Article 21 of the National Security Law for Hong Kong but, after discussing with the Department of Justice, they believe that making an arrest for the offense of uttering seditious words under the Crimes Ordinance is more appropriate.

Article 21 of the city's National Security Law stipulates that a person who incites, assists in, abets or provides pecuniary or other financial assistance or property for the commission by other persons of the offence of secession shall be guilty of an offence.

Also, on Sunday, police arrested at least 30 people for their roles in an unauthorized assembly in Jordan of Kowloon district, including three opposition activists — Leung Kwok-hung, Raphael Wong Ho-ming and Figo Chan Ho-wun.

The unauthorized assembly was held after a small number of people heeded online calls to take to the streets and protest the government's decision to postpone the Legislative Council election for one year.

The original election day was Sunday, Sept 6.

The police also issued penalty notices to some protest participants in Jordan including Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit, convenor of the Civil Human Rights Front, for breaking the city's social distancing laws.