Beijing slams election smears as 3 arrested in Hong Kong over reposted content
Anti-corruption agency says two men and a woman arrested, warns of action against those who seek to undermine coming Legco election
Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong has slammed attacks and smears on the coming Legislative Council election, while the city’s anti-corruption agency arrested three people for allegedly reposting online content inciting others to abstain from voting or to cast invalid ballots.
The Office for Safeguarding National Security on Friday condemned acts by some people to disrupt the December 7 election, including inciting others not to vote or to cast “blank ballots” and deliberately damaging election campaign materials.
“We firmly support Hong Kong in cracking down on any acts and activities that disrupt or destroy the Legislative Council election in accordance with the law to effectively safeguard and consolidate the hard-won positive situation in the special administrative region,” it said.
“Election security is a matter of national security and must be fully guaranteed.”
It added: “[The office] will resolutely punish and counter any interference by external forces in accordance with the law to jointly safeguard a fair, just, safe and orderly election order.”
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said that two men and a woman, aged 55 to 66, had been arrested on Friday for allegedly reposting online content inciting others to abstain from voting or to cast invalid ballots in the election.
The watchdog said it would pursue the case in accordance with the law and established procedures while seeking legal advice from the Department of Justice to determine whether prosecution should be instigated upon the completion of the investigation.