Six Arrested in Hong Kong Under National Security Law
Six people in Hong Kong have been arrested by the national security police for the first time since a new security law was enacted in March, further solidifying Beijing’s control over the region. The arrests come just a few days before the 35th anniversary of the crackdown on the Tiananmen Square protests and were reported by Bloomberg.
The individuals are suspected of violating the new National Security Law, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. The arrests come approximately two months after the expedited passing of the law, which raised concerns over potential limitations on freedom of speech.
«The suspects have been inciting hatred and distrust towards the central government, the Hong Kong government, and the judiciary. We must take decisive measures to protect the security of Hong Kong and our country,» said security chief Chris Tang.
In March, Hong Kong passed a new stringent security law that critics believe could further undermine civil liberties in the region. The new legislation complements the broad National Security Law enacted in Hong Kong in 2020.
The new rules increase the maximum penalty for conspiracy from two to seven years and expand the definition of state secrets to include information on Hong Kong’s economic, technological, and scientific development, or mainland China. Crimes such as treason and insurrection could be punished with life imprisonment, giving authorities wider powers to suppress political opposition.
