Prominent pro-democracy politician arrested in Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Mar 21 (EFE).- The Hong Kong police arrested a prominent pro-democracy politician on Tuesday, months after he was released from prison on bail.
Albert Ho, 71, was previously arrested on a subversion charge under the draconian national security law.
The former lawmaker was arrested from his home, handcuffed, and escorted by security forces on Tuesday.
Police accused him of “interfering with witnesses and perverting the course of public justice” while on bail.
He was released on bail to receive medical treatment for lung cancer and now faces accusations of witness tampering.
The activist was arrested and jailed in 2021 for participating in several pro-democracy demonstrations and Tiananmen crackdown vigils.
He was found guilty of violating the National Security Law for “organizing and inciting others to join unlawful gatherings.”
In August last year, the High Court granted him bail after serving almost a year in prison.
The bail conditions included providing 700,000 Hong Kong dollars ($89,200) in cash and not leaving the former British colony.
He was also barred from contacting foreigners and publishing statements that could be considered an “infraction or crime against national security.”
On Mar.9, the police also detained union leader Elizabeth Tang after she visited her husband, a pro-democracy activist, in a high-security prison.
She was charged with conspiring with foreign forces and was granted bail.
Hundreds of pro-democracy activists have been convicted and sentenced to prison since the Chinese legislature passed the draconian law in 2020 in response to the massive and sometimes violent demonstrations a year ago.
Under the law, anyone suspected of terrorism, separatism, subversion of state power, or colluding with foreign forces can be tried and given life in prison. EFE
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