By Oliver Farry |
Two leading figures from Hong Kong’s Democratic Party were among 16 people arrested in the latest police swoop against the city’s pro-democracy movement on Wednesday.
Police arrested Legislative Councillors Lam Cheuk-ting and Ted Hui in relation to a protest in the suburb of Tuen Mun on 6 July last year. The pair were charged with conspiracy to destroy property and obstruction of justice.
The Democratic Party said the two had been carrying out their duty as legislators on the day by liaising between protesters and police.
Fourteen of the arrests were related to a now-notorious attack on commuters and protesters by more than 100 men believed to be linked to triad criminal groups on 21 July last year.
A horde of white-shirted individuals stormed Yuen Long metro station in the north of Hong Kong and beat passengers and bystanders with poles and rattan sticks.
Lam, despite being himself a victim, was also charged with rioting relating to the incident. He had arrived on the scene after hearing of a man being assaulted outside the station.
He filmed the incident and was himself beaten, his injuries leaving him needing 18 stitches. The attack was also live-streamed and viewed by thousands across the city.