Hong Kong police arrest 8 over participating in unauthorized assembly, inciting secession

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong police said Monday that they have arrested eight people who were related to illegal activities on the campus of Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

The arrested, all male aged between 16 to 34, are students, community workers and district council members, according to the department for safeguarding national security of the Hong Kong Police Force.

They are suspected of participating in an unauthorized assembly, and three of them were also suspected of inciting secession as they shouted and displayed "Hong Kong independence" slogans, the police said, adding that the arrests were made after the relevant evidence was obtained.

Some people, on the pretext that they were dissatisfied that the CUHK moved the graduation ceremony online in response to epidemic prevention needs, initiated a rally of nearly 100 people on campus on Nov 19 without application, during which a few people defaced and damaged properties and were suspected of criminal damage. Some even shouted and displayed "Hong Kong independence" slogans.