Hong Kong arrests 3 activists under national security law

Three members of a former student group vocating independence for Hong Kong were arrested Tuesday under city’s new national security law on suspicion of publishing content inciting secession on social media platforms.

three include former Studentlocalism leer Tony Chung and former members William Chan and Yanni Ho. arrests of three were confirmed on w-disbanded group’s Facebook p.

Police said y arrested two men and one woman between s of 17 and 21 on secession charges, but did t name m.

Chung was arrested near U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong on Tuesday morning, a police official said on condition of anymity because he was t authorized to speak to media. or two were detained while reporting to police stations, Studentlocalism said.

three h previously been arrested under national security law in July, on charges of inciting secession.

Studentlocalism was a student group in city that vocated localism, and aimed to set up a “Republic of Hong Kong.” Hong Kong, a former British colony, was handed over to China in 1997 and w runs as a semi-automous Chinese territory under “one country, two systems” framework that allows Hong Kong certain freedoms t found on mainland.

In June, group anunced that it ceased activities in city in light of national security legislation.

law, which was imposed on Hong Kong by central Chinese government and took effect on June 30, is widely seen as a means to curb dissent after anti-government protests rocked city for months last year.

legislation outlaws secessionist, subversive and terrorist acts, as well as collusion with foreign forces in city’s internal affairs. maximum punishment for serious offenders is life imprisonment.

Ors who have been arrested under legislation include media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, and prominent pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow.