Hong Kong—Police in Hong Kong carried out a sweeping operation against high-profile democracy campaigners on Saturday, arresting 15 activists on charges related to massive protests that rocked the Asian financial hub last year.
Among those targeted was 72-year-old media tycoon Jimmy Lai, founder of anti-establishment newspaper Apple Daily, who was arrested at his home.
The group also included former lawmakers Martin Lee, Margaret Ng, Albert Ho, Leung Kwok-hung, Au Nok-hin and current lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung.
They are accused of organizing and taking part in unlawful assemblies in August and October, according to the police.
Five were arrested on suspicion of publicizing unauthorized public meetings in September and October.
“The arrestees were charged or will be charged with related crimes,” superintendent Lam Wing-ho said.
All 15 are due to appear in court mid-May.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the arrests “deeply concerning,” saying in a tweet that “politicized law enforcement is inconsistent with universal values of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”
“Finally I’ve become a defendant. How do I feel? I’m very much relieved,” Lee, known as the father of democracy in Hong Kong, told media after he was bailed.
“For so many years, so many months, so many good youngsters were arrested and charged, while I was not arrested. I feel sorry about it,” the 81-year-old barrister and founding chairman of the city’s first political party said.
He added he does not regret his actions and is proud to walk with Hong Kong’s youngsters in their fight for democracy – remarks the city’s police chief Chris Tang said left him “very worried and surprised.”
“As a veteran of the legal profession… he continues to incite youngsters to violate the law. I don’t think he should feel proud, he should feel ashamed,” Tang said.