Asia

Asia

Hong Kong protest leaders charged day after new leader chosen

28 March 2017 03:26 (UTC +04:00)

Hong Kong police on Monday charged nine organizers of the 2014 pro-democracy demonstrations, just a day after a new Beijing-backed leader was chosen, vowing to unite society, APA reports quoting Reuters.

The move provoked anger and disbelief among protesters and heightened political tension in the Chinese-ruled city.

"We want real universal suffrage," over 100 supporters wielding yellow umbrellas, a symbol of the 2014 protests, shouted outside the Wanchai police headquarters on Monday night as the nine organizers went inside, pumping their fists into the air.

“Never give up.”

Former chief secretary Carrie Lam was chosen on Sunday by a 1,200-person committee to lead the city, pledging in her victory speech to unite political divisions that have hindered policy-making and legislative work.

The protest leaders dubbed "the Occupy trio" - law professor Benny Tai, sociology professor Chan Kin-man and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming - were each charged with conspiracy to commit public nuisance, incitement to commit public nuisance and incitement to incite public nuisance.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years, Tai said, adding the activists might plead guilty, in a spirit of civil disobedience.

Six others including two legislators and two former student protest leaders were also charged with crimes related to public nuisance during the 2014 unrest, which brought parts of the city to a standstill for months.

"I am already mentally prepared for this, but I am very worried about Hong Kong's future," Chan told Reuters.