The leader of a banned political party that advocated Hong Kong independence was arrested last night during a raid on an industrial building that also allegedly turned up supplies for Molotov cocktails and bows and arrows.
Andy Chan, of the Hong Kong National Party, was arrested in Haribest Industrial Building on Au Pui Wan Street in Fo Tan, in the New Territories, along with six other men and one woman. The female suspect is 28-years-old, and the male suspects were aged 24 to 31.
As Chan was being escorted out of the building by police, he yelled out, “Hongkongers, add oil! Don’t be afraid of white terror!”
BREAKING: Andy Chan Ho-tin, convener of outlawed Hong Kong National Party, was arrested with 6 other individuals in a @hkpoliceforce raid into an industrial building unit in Fo Tan. Materials used for protest were also taken, including accused weapons, explosives and drugs. pic.twitter.com/k7WLhByLxs
— Xinqi Su 蘇昕琪 (@XinqiSu) August 1, 2019
Speaking to reporters at about 2am this morning, Police Superintendent Chan Yan — assistant district commander for the crime division of Sha Tin District — said police seized materials used for making petrol bombs, bows, arrows, and essential oils containing cannabis-derived substances.
Apple Daily reported that the raid began at about 10pm last night, and also turned up first-aid supplies, helmets, and knee pads. The outlet reported a heavy police presence at the warehouse that evening, and that about 40 people had gathered outside after hearing of the raid.
The eight suspects were arrested last night on suspicion of possessing explosives without a license, possession of offensive weapons, and selling poisons without license.
After news of the arrests spread, an angry crowd had gathered outside Sha Tin police station initially believing the group had been sent there, according to an RTHK livestream. But at about 1am they turned their attention to nearby Ma On Shan police station after discovering that that was where the suspects were really being held.
In the livestream, protesters could be seen pelting the station with eggs and chanting for the suspects to be released.
Ming Pao reported that the crowds dispersed at about 3am, and that no serious clashes between police and protesters occurred.
Chan’s pro-independence Hong Kong National Party was banned last September in an unprecedented move after being labeled a threat to public safety and national security by police. The party had accused authorities of bowing to pressure from Beijing, which considers any talk of Hong Kong independence a red line, and observers expressed concern that the ban violated members’ civil rights.
Last night’s raid comes at a time of soaring tensions, with a two-month pro-democracy protest movement still roiling the city. It also comes nearly two weeks after police busted a “homemade laboratory” allegedly manufacturing high explosives in Tsuen Wan. They also arrested a man associated with another fringe independence group in the raid.
Separately last night, police also arrested a family of three — a mother, her son, and her daughter — after dozens of smoke bombs were allegedly found in their home in Tin Shui Wai. The suspects, aged 23 to 47, were brought in on suspicion of possessing of explosives without a license.
