"This latest crackdown makes a mockery of previous claims that the National Security Law would be used sparingly and be applied only to cases with a direct and imminent threat to security"

Today 11 individuals were arrested in Hong Kong under the National Security Law for allegedly helping the 12 Hong Kong youths currently detained in Shenzhen flee Hong Kong.

The group of individuals arrests for “assisting criminals”, include 8 males and 3 females between the ages of 18-72. Among them is the lawyer and current District Councilor Wong Kwok-tung, independent musician Fok Long-chai, and a Ukrainian national.

A source within the National Security Department said that the 11 individuals were accused of sponsoring the fugitives’ attempt to abscond, with the level of funds offered by each of them ranging from a few thousand Hong Kong dollars to tens of thousands. They also are accused of providing “assistance such as introducing middle men to the fugitives, arranging shoreline pickups and providing hiding locations.”

Commenting on the arrests, Hong Kong Watch’s Chief Executive, Benedict Rogers said:

“Today has brought more arrests under the National Security Law and a further crackdown in Hong Kong. Increasingly it is clear that Beijing intends to use this draconian law as a blunt tool to crush dissent, where the hiring of a boat, the providing of accommodation, and the offering of free legal advice is now punishable to a minimum of ten years in prison.

This latest crackdown makes a mockery of previous claims that the draconian National Security Law would be used sparingly and be applied only to cases with a direct and imminent threat to security. The case of the 12 Hong Kong youths who languish in a jail in Shenzhen has never had anything to do with national security.

There is also reason to believe that the evidence against the 11 individuals arrested today has been extracted from the 12 Hong Kong youths detained in Shenzhen through mistreatment and even torture.

We urge the international community to condemn these arrests and urgently move to adopt punitive measures, including Magnitsky sanctions, in the face of what has become regular crackdowns and assaults on Hong Kong’s freedom, democracy, and way of life.”