Four Hong Kong student leaders arrested for advocating terrorism

Hong Kong – The clout of the Chinese Communist Party’s oppression over Hong Kong seems persistent. The Chinese agencies arrested four student leaders in Hong Kong for allegedly advocating terrorism. Last month, a Hong Kong citizen attacked a police officer and then committed suicide. In response to that incident, the Hong Kong students expressed grief about that citizen’s death and praised his sacrifice. These students were accused of promoting terrorism for such a response and hence, got arrested.

At the beginning of July, a fifty-year-old citizen Leung Kin-fai brutally stabbed a police officer at Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. Later, fai committed suicide. Besides, Chinese agencies accused Leung Kin-fai of being a Lone Wolf Domestic Terrorist motivated by political objectives. After this incident, the students of the University of Hong Kong released a statement. They praised his sacrifice while grieving over his death.

Following this, the Chinese agencies took action; they raided the university campus and its offices. Besides, they continued the interrogation although the group withdrew its statement. Now, despite arresting the student activist group leaders, the agencies indicate that this action is not over. Moreover, police officials have said that the statement issued by these student leaders glorifies terrorism and encourages suicide. Four leaders of this activist group have been arrested, taken to court and denied bail.

The Chinese agencies took this action under the National Security Law imposed by China over Hong Kong last year. Last year, in July, the Chinese ruling communist party had forced this law on Hong Kong. Moreover, China continued implementing this law aggressively despite receiving fury and agitation against this imposition. Over the last year, the Chinese agencies have arrested over 130 people in Hong Kong under the National Security Law. These include student leaders, democratic leaders, lawyers, journalists and also ordinary citizens. Most of these people are imprisoned and have been denied bail.

In June, China used the National Security Law and took action against Apple Daily, based in Hong Kong. Entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, the tabloid owner, was arrested and accused of crimes alongside other employees. Following that, the international community fired a salvo of criticism against the Chinese Communist Regime that the National Security Law is not being utilised for public safety but to suppress the voice of opposers.