This Regime Is Tyrannical, Says Bailed Ted Hui

Former lawmaker Ted Hui denounced the Hong Kong authorities as a "tyrannical regime" as he emerged from a police station on Wednesday afternoon after being charged over protests in Legco earlier this year.

Two other former pan-democratic legislators, Ray Chan and Chu Hoi-dick, were also arrested, charged and released on bail, with the trio told their case would be brought before West Kowloon Court on Thursday afternoon.

The three are being prosecuted under Legco's Powers and Privileges Ordinance and the Offences against the Person Ordinance after foul-smelling liquids and a rotten plant were taken into Legco on May 28 and June 4.

Police reportedly said Legco president Andrew Leung had been left "mentally disturbed" by the antics, which came during debate on the national anthem bill.

Speaking to reporters after his release, Hui said the arrests – the latest of a series involving pro-democracy figures – are part of the government's efforts to suppress dissenting voices.

“This regime is tyrannical. Its persecution of dissidents, of opposition, of us – democratic legislators – has never stopped. It’s been non-stop prosecution against us,” Hui said.

“The whole world is watching. All Hong Kong people know what’s happening. I condemn the arbitrary arrests and I condemn what the regime is doing against us, people with democratic values, people who speak for the core values of Hong Kong.”

Chu, meanwhile, said the case against them is ridiculous and it is like arresting someone for breaking wind in a lift because it made somebody else inside feel uneasy.

He noted that charges under the Offences against the Person Ordinance can lead to three years in prison and said the police appear to be seeking the most severe punishment possible.

For his part, Chan said the case against them is clearly politically driven, comparing this prosecution to the Department of Justice's decision to strike out a private case he brought against pro-Beijing lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung for dragging him around Legco during a meeting.

“You can see this political prosecution uses the most severe charge to suppress the protesters, the councillors,” he said. “You can see the difference.”

The European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau, meanwhile, expressed concern about the arrests.

“The EU is following closely and with concern the arrests of former pro-democracy lawmakers today in relation to incidents that took place in the Legislative Council,” the office said in a tweet.