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Prominent HK pro-democracy activist arrested
TIWN
TIWN
PHOTO : TIWN
Hong Kong, Jan 8 (TIWN) Joshua Wong, a prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, was arrested on Friday over "subverting the state power" under the national security law which China imposed in the city last year.
Those held helped run an unofficial "primary" to pick opposition candidates ahead of postponed 2020 elections.
They are accused of trying to "overthrow" the government. Activists say the new law aims to quash dissent.
China's government imposed the legislation on the semi-autonomous territory in June, saying it was necessary to curb months of sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.
Beijing defended Wednesday's arrests, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying saying they were needed to stop "external forces and individuals [colluding] to undermine China's stability and security".
But the crackdown appeared to confirm the fears of many who warned about the reach of the law, with Amnesty International saying the arrests are "the starkest demonstration yet of how the national security law has been weaponised to punish anyone who dares to challenge the establishment".
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