Hong Kong arrests dozens of pro-democracy activists
Their alleged offence: trying to topple the chief executive by gaining a majority in the legislature
THE NATIONAL-SECURITY law which China imposed on Hong Kong in June was meant, some of its backers once insisted, to rely more on its bark than its bite. During its first months in force, only 35 people were arrested (just four were charged) under the bill, which criminalises acts such as inciting secession and colluding with a foreign power. The picture changed dramatically on January 6th when, in a pre-dawn raid, nearly 1,000 police officers fanned out across the city to search 72 premises and arrest 53 pro-democracy politicians and activists on grounds of subversion.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Cut down in the primary”
From the January 9th 2021 edition
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