Three Hong Kong pro-democracy activists arrested

International Desk: Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong and two others have been arrested in Hong Kong, according to a statement by the political party he co-founded.

The Demosisto party said Joshua Wong had been "forcefully pushed into a private minivan on the street" while walking to a train station at around 07:30 local time (23:30 GMT Thursday).

He was then taken to police headquarters in Wan Chai, his party said.

Police have not yet commented.

Demosisto said he faces three charges, but it is not yet clear what they are.

Well-known independence campaigner Andy Chan said he too was detained by police, while trying to board a flight from Hong Kong to Japan on Thursday night.

Police said he was arrested on suspicion of rioting and assaulting a police officer, according to local outlet HKFP.

Police said on Wednesday that some 900 people have been arrested since protests began in early June, triggered by a controversial extradition bill.

With the bill now suspended, the rallies have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement demanding democratic reform and an investigation into alleged police brutality.

 

risingbd/Aug 30, 2019/Mukul