Exclusive | Four Hong Kong activists seeking asylum in US consulate ‘turned away’ just hours after national security police arrest three others
- The four ran up to talk to security guards, who allowed them inside the compound, but they did not stay
- Incident came after arrest of three others tied to now-defunct Studentlocalism group
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Hong Kong national security police arrest activist near US consulate
Four Hong Kong activists entered the US consulate on Tuesday afternoon in a dramatic bid for asylum, just hours after the city’s police national security unit arrested the former leader of a pro-independence group as he was planning a similar move at the diplomatic mission.
It is understood that the four – after a Post reporter saw them running up Garden Road and talking to security guards at the entrance before they were allowed into the compound – were later rejected, but there was no official confirmation.
Sources said mainland Chinese officials in Hong Kong were aware of their attempt and closely monitoring what could have erupted into a major diplomatic row, had the would-be asylum seekers been accepted.
A government spokesman said it would not comment on media reports but stressed anyone prosecuted under local laws should face trial by “an independent judiciary”, regardless of their political beliefs or background.
