Activist arrested, US lawyer freed in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AP) – Democracy activist Joshua Wong, who is serving a sentence, was arrested on Thursday under a new charge, while an American rights lawyer was released from custody on bail.

Wong’s friends and family, who are serving a 13-month sentence for organizing and participating in an unauthorized protest in 2019, were reported to be arrested on suspicion of violating the National Security Act and leading them to testify . The new allegations, according to a post on their Facebook page.

According to the message, Wong was unable to speak to his lawyer and was transferred back to prison after making a statement, the contents of which were not disclosed.

Separately, John Clancy, an American lawyer working at Ho Tse YA & Partners, was released, his partner said. He was one of 53 activists arrested on Wednesday under the new National Security Act. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Activists are accused of participating in an informal primary election, which officials see as part of a plan to paralyze the government and seize power.