Hong Kong police arrest woman for alleged sedition ahead of Tiananmen vigil group's national security verdict

Hong Kong police arrested a 45-year-old woman on suspicion of sedition outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on Friday. The arrest took place hours before a verdict was due for two former leaders of a Tiananmen vigil group, Chow Hang-tang and Lee Cheuk-yan, who were on trial under the national security law.

The woman was reportedly queueing for a seat in the public gallery to attend the verdict hearing. Police stated she was arrested on suspicion of acting with seditious intention, causing disorder in public places, and obstructing police. She was detained for investigation.

Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan are former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, the organization that used to orchestrate Hong Kong's annual Tiananmen vigils. The Alliance itself, which disbanded in September 2021, was also on trial. Prosecutors accused both the activists and the Alliance of inciting subversion by calling for "ending one-party rule," a slogan they argued amounted to advocating for the overthrow of the Chinese Communist Party.

Acting with seditious intention is an offense under Article 23 of the city's security law, punishable by up to seven years in prison, or 10 years if foreign forces are involved. The Alliance's case was adjourned for mitigation statements.