The Hong Kong government charged 47 people with one count of conspiracy to commit subversion in the largest crackdown on political opposition since the National Security Law was imposed on the city last year. The police said on Sunday that all would be held overnight and appear in court on Monday morning.
Ranging in age from 23 to 64, the former lawmakers and activists charged on Sunday had been among the more than 50 people arrested early last month for taking part in a primary election in July. The informal poll was intended to choose candidates to run for the city’s legislative body, but that election was postponed by the government.
Despite warnings from the government that the primary might contravene the newly adopted National Security Law, more than 600,000 people cast their votes in the poll, far exceeding the expected turnout of 170,000. The event was hailed by some as a clear demonstration of Hong Kong people’s desire for democratic elections.
But the government is contending that the primary is part of a plan by the opposition camp to win enough seats to paralyze the government and unseat the city’s leader, Carrie Lam.
The police had ordered the former lawmakers and activists to visit police stations across the city on Sunday, weeks earlier than expected.
Legal academic Benny Tai was among the group charged on Sunday. He was a key tactician for the primary and the wider democratic movement in the city. He said on social media beforehand that it seemed unlikely the authorities would grant him bail.
