Hong Kong: Pro-democracy lawmakers among 10 arrested

ANKARA (AA) - Hong Kong authorities have arrested 10 people, including two Democratic Party lawmakers, over last year’s anti-government protests, local media reported on Wednesday.

According to Radio and Television Hong Kong, police picked up lawmakers Ted Hui and Lam Cheuk-ting from their houses early morning for their alleged involvement in protests outside Tuen Mun police station last July.

In a statement, the party condemned the arrests and rejected the charges against its lawmakers of involvement in any attacks.

“The Democrats reiterate that the indiscriminate persecution will not help solve the plight of Hong Kong, and call on those in power to change the situation,” the statement said.

Earlier in April, authorities arrested several key pro-democracy leaders, including lawmakers, over the mass anti-government protests seen in the semi-autonomous Chinese region since last year.

The arrests came after a new security law passed by China’s National People’s Congress came into effect in Hong Kong on July 1.

The legislation has drawn criticism within Hong Kong and in the international community, which Beijing has dismissed as “foreign intervention.”

Hong Kong is a semi-autonomous region that has been part of China since 1997, when the UK handed over the former colony to Beijing.

Since last year, it has witnessed widespread protests sparked by a move to legalize extradition of people to mainland China.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid