Thread by @HongKongFP

BREAKING: Pro-independence student group leader arrested on suspicion of ‘inciting secession’ under Hong Kong’s security law

hongkongfp.com/2020/07/29/bre…

Update: @Studentlocalism spokesperson Ho Nok-hang and member Yanni Ho have also been taken away by officers.

@studentlocalism At an 11pm press briefing, Organised Crime and Triad Bureau Superintendent Steve Li said police had arrested three male students and one female student aged 16 to 21 on suspicion of inciting secession.

hongkongfp.com/2020/07/29/bre… Photo: StandNews screenshot.

@studentlocalism According to Li, the force made the arrests based on the content of @Studentlocalism's social media accounts, which suggested they would use all means to establish a republic of Hong Kong and unite all pro-independence political groups.

@studentlocalism Li also cited Article 21 of the security law as stating that making statements that promote secession would constitute incitement - it is not necessary to assess if someone was actually motivated by such content. hongkongfp.com/2020/07/29/bre… Photo: StandNews screenshot.

@studentlocalism Correction: Police did not explicity state whether @studentlocalism was the group connected to the arrests.

@studentlocalism Correction: Steve Li was promoted to senior superintendent of the new national security department of the police force.

@studentlocalism According to Li, the force based the arrests on social media content posted after the security law was enacted.

@studentlocalism Secession is defined in Article 20 of the security as “to participate, plan or implement… acts of secession… whether or not force or the threat of force is used.”

The maximum penalty is life behind bars.