Six suspects were arrested on April 6 on suspicion of committing acts with seditious intent while attending court hearings in December and January under the revived colonial-era security laws.
According to the South China Morning Post, the arrest included Tang Kin-wah, former vice-chairman of the pro-democracy Confederation of Trade Unions (CTU). The CTU, which disbanded in October last year, was one of the most influential labor groups in Hong Kong.
The newspaper disclosed that a pastor, a former government trade official, and a part-time self-described independent online journalist were among the other suspects.
The Associated Press reported that the colonial-era law did not work until recently reinstated to arrest and prosecute a wide range of democracy advocates and activists.
Tang’s arrest was the latest in a far-reaching crackdown on dissidents in Hong Kong following months of anti-government protests in 2019.
