HONG KONG (AP) — On Thursday, the Hong Kong police announced the arrest of four individuals connected to a Taiwan-based organization, under the stringent national security law imposed by Beijing. These individuals are accused of conspiracy to commit subversion, a serious charge that arises from the controversial legislation enacted in 2020.
According to Steve Li, Chief Superintendent of the National Security Department, the arrests, which took place on Wednesday, involved four males aged between 15 and 47. If found guilty, they could face life imprisonment, reflecting the gravity with which the authorities treat breaches of the national security law.
The organization said to be involved, reportedly named the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union, was established last year in Taiwan. This self-ruled island has become a refuge for many from Hong Kong, who have relocated amid escalating fears over the reach of the security law. Police noted that the group's Facebook page had only garnered a modest following of dozens of users.
Li elaborated that the roles of the arrested individuals included the design of flags, researching how to solicit foreign assistance, and plans to provide military training for its members. During a police search in Hong Kong, authorities reportedly uncovered a proposal that aimed to compel the United States to devise strategies to aid Hong Kong’s political prisoners, as well as flags emblazoned with designs advocating Hong Kong and Tibet's independence.
In February, the group held an online news conference from Taipei, during which some members expressed their commitment to "end the Communist Party" and to "Liberate Hong Kong," showcasing their confrontational stance against the Chinese government. Again, reflecting their activities aimed against Beijing, during the 28th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule on July 1, the group organized an event abroad that included participants stepping on both the Chinese national flag and the regional flag of Hong Kong. Additionally, members played "Glory to Hong Kong," a song that had resonated with demonstrators during the significant anti-government protests in 2019, which was later banned by a local court.
Li stated that Hong Kong authorities maintain jurisdiction over individuals who commit national security offenses, even if these acts take place overseas. This assertion aligns with a broader crackdown on perceived threats to national security, demonstrating an extended reach of the law beyond Hong Kong's borders.
In a troubling context for digital civil liberties, last month Hong Kong police accused a mobile game application developed by ESC Taiwan of advocating armed revolution and pushing secessionist agendas, adding to the ongoing concerns regarding censorship and repression of dissent under the national security framework.
Critics argue that the crackdown under the national security law has led to a significant suppression of freedom of expression and other civil liberties that were promised to Hong Kong when it was handed over to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. The governments of Beijing and Hong Kong contend that the law is essential for restoring stability in the wake of the mass protests in 2019, suggesting a justification for the stringent measures taken against dissenting voices and actions.
