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Pro democracy prosecutions overshadow Hong Kong election result

Chief Executive-elect Carrie Lam has promised to heal society's wounds but nine charged a day after she was selected
Pro democracy prosecutions overshadow Hong Kong election result

Nine participants of the 2014 pro-democracy movement held a press conference in front of the Wan Chai police headquarters before they reported to the police March 27. (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Federation of Students' Facebook)

Published: March 29, 2017 07:12 AM GMT
Updated: March 29, 2017 10:33 AM GMT

The charging of key leaders of the 2014 pro-democracy movement is an early test for Hong Kong's Chief Executive-elect Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's aspirations to "unite society."

Nine key participants were charged with conspiracy to commit public nuisance on March 27 and were then released on bail. 

Among those charged are Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin Man and Reverend Chu Yiu-ming, also Tommy Cheung Sau-yin and Eason Chung Yiu-wah, two former leaders of the Hong Kong Federation of Students. They are due to appear in court on March 30.

The widely-covered prosecutions occurred just a day after Lam was selected to be the next Chief Executive of Hong Kong.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, retired Hong Kong bishop, himself a democracy advocate and strong critic of China's ruling communists, said the timing of the prosecutions  was strange and wondered "if someone wants to give her trouble?"

"Why would you leave no honeymoon period after an election?" asked Cardinal Zen.

During her acceptance speech Lam, 59, a practicing Catholic, promised to unite Hong Kong's split society. After news broke about the prosecution of the pro-democracy leaders, Lam said she had no prior knowledge as it was an "action of the current government."

"I want to unite society and bridge the divide that has been causing us concern, any such action should not compromise the rule of law in Hong Kong," Lam told media March 27.

Tanya Chan, a lawmaker who was one of the nine charged, told media that the decision was "very C.Y. Leung," referring to the outgoing chief executive. "Leung is giving Lam the kiss of death," she said.

The Department of Justice issued a statement denying any political motives behind the arrests, adding that it does not give prior notice to the executive branch or warnings to the chief executive-elect when handling any prosecutions.

Despite this, Shiu Ka-chun, another lawmaker also charged, told ucanews.com that such a statement will not remove any public doubt.

"The actions of the incumbent government makes us worry," said Shiu.

The 2014 pro-democracy movement — also known as the Umbrella Movement — demanded political reform with universal suffrage in elections replacing the select committee that run Hong Kong's election. At the peak of the protest more than 150,000 people took to the streets.

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