Three National Security Arrests Over CUHK Protest

Police say three of the eight people arrested on Monday morning over a graduation day protest at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) are suspected of having "incited secession" in violation of the national security law.

Senior superintendent Steve Li said all eight are alleged to have taken part in an unlawful assembly at the Sha Tin campus on November 19, when pro-Hong Kong independence slogans were shouted and banners displayed.

The arrests were "evidence-based", he claimed.

"You can be aware that not all the people were arrested for the national security law, because we use an evidence basis. We only arrested those who were [suspected of] shouting slogans, displaying flags which involved some national security concerns."

The eight males arrested are aged 16 to 34, and include students, social workers and two district councillors, Li said.

The three national security suspects are all students, but not from CUHK, he added.

Li again pointed out that it was the university's management that had called the police, saying the force had received reports of "some serious crimes" taking place, with alleged criminal damage on top of the protest.

He said officers had made reference to online video feeds and images when collecting "evidence".

Li said searches had been carried out and claimed that "weapons" had been found at one of the suspect's homes.

He did not disclose who the suspect was or what the items were.