The U.S. and Britain have condemned the arrests of at least 14 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on charges of joining anti-government protests.
The U.S. has condemned the arrests of at least 14 veteran pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on charges of joining massive anti-government protests last year, saying that the move jeopardizes the autonomy that China agreed to give the city upon resuming sovereignty over it in 1997.
Among those arrested Saturday were 81-year-old activist and former lawmaker Martin Lee and democracy advocates Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk-yan and Au Nok-hin. Police also arrested media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who founded the local newspaper Apple Daily. The sweeping crackdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic is based on charges of unlawful assembly stemming from thelast year in opposition to a Beijing-backed extradition bill. The controversy exposed deep divisions between democracy-minded Hong Kongers and mainland China’s Communist Party-ruled government.
The bill — which would have allowed Hong Kong residents to be sent to mainland to stand trial — has been withdrawn, but the protests continued for more than seven months, centering on demands for voting rights and an independent inquiry into police conduct.While the protests began peacefully, they increasingly descended into violence after demonstrators became frustrated with the government’s response.
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