Reasons For The Arrest Of 53 Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Activists Involving One Thousand Police

JAKARTA - Hong Kong police have again arrested democracy activists. This time, 53 democracy activists were arrested. They are suspected of violating the new Security Law, Wednesday January 6.

Hong Kong Security Secretary John Lee said the activists were arrested for planning to carry out an action and "overthrow" the government.

"Today's operation targets active elements who are suspected of being involved in the crimes of the overthrow, or of serious interference to destroy the official duties of the Hong Kong Government. We will not tolerate any subversive actions," Lee stressed.

The arrests were made Wednesday morning in 72 different places. This is the biggest arrest since the enactment of the new Security Act in June 2020.

As many as 1,000 police officers are said to have taken part in the arrests. The activists arrested by the Hong Kong Police included James To, Lam Cheuk-ting, Benny Tai to Lester Shum.

A number of opposition figures suspect this arrest is related to the unofficial preliminary elections held by pro-democracy parties in July 2020.

The election, which was attended by around 600 thousand voters, aims to elect candidates who will participate in the Hong Kong Legislative Election. Of the 70 seats in the Hong Kong Parliament, the opposition is targeting to win 35 seats.

Originally, the Hong Kong Legislative Election would be held last September. But the authorities postponed it under the pretext of the coronavirus pandemic.