Hong Kong Democracy Activist Joshua Wong Arrested in Prison

Hong Kong Police Investigate Without Lawyer Present... Some, Including American Lawyer Arrested Previous Day, Released on Bail for Charges of Subversion

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] While Western major countries are condemning the Chinese government for arresting pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong, Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong was arrested inside prison on the morning of the 7th on charges of violating the National Security Law.

Wong was arrested on the morning of the same day in the prison where he is incarcerated on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law, and was transferred to Lai Chi Kok Detention Center where he was interrogated without a lawyer present. This is the first time Wong has been arrested on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Tam Tak-chi, a former legislator from the Hong Kong opposition party 'People Power' who is also incarcerated, was arrested in prison on the same charges on the same day along with Wong. SCMP added that both were charged under the Hong Kong National Security Law with attempting to overthrow the state.

Hong Kong police arrested 53 pro-democracy figures en masse the day before on charges of attempting to overthrow the state. It is known that the police also searched Wong's residence during the arrest process.

Wong is currently serving a 13.5-month prison sentence after being sentenced last month on charges of organizing and inciting an illegal assembly.

Former legislator Tam was prosecuted last year for making inflammatory remarks and is currently detained under a detention order.

These two individuals, along with the 53 arrested the day before, are all accused of attempting to overthrow the state by organizing or participating in an unofficial primary election held from July 11 to 12 to select unified opposition candidates for five constituencies ahead of the Legislative Council (Hong Kong Parliament) election originally scheduled for September 6 last year.

The Hong Kong National Security Law stipulates that four crimes?secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign forces?can be punished with the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK reported that some of the 53 people arrested the day before on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law, including an American human rights lawyer, were released on bail on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.