The leaders of the 2014 pro-democracy Occupy protests have received calls from the police saying that they will be charged with public nuisance. The crackdown comes a day after Hong Kong’s chief executive elections.

Tommy Cheung Sau-yin, a former core member of the Hong Kong Federation of Students (HKFS), confirmed to HKFP that he will be charged.

Update: Chief Exec.-elect Carrie Lam says she had no knowledge of pro-democracy leader crackdown, reiterates ‘unity’

Tommy Cheung, Raphael Wong, Chu Yiu-ming, Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man; Bottom row: Lee Wing-tat, Shiu Ka-chun, Tanya Chan, Eason Chung.

The three conveners of the protests – Professors Benny Tai and Chan Kin-man, and reverend Chu Yiu-ming – have also received calls.

Update: Hong Kong’s pro-democracy leaders slam post-election crackdown, accuse gov’t of political cleansing

“What message is this government sending to society after the chief executive election?” Chan Kin-man said.

Others targeted include:

  • Democratic Party former lawmaker Lee Wing-tat.
  • Former HKFS Standing Committee member Eason Chung Yiu-wah.
  • Raphael Wong Ho-ming, vice chairman of the League of Social Democrats.
  • Lawmakers Tanya Chan and Shiu Ka-chun.

Tanya Chan, also a barrister, said some of those targeted are facing the common law charge of public nuisance. Offenders face a maximum penalty of seven years behind bars.

Shiu was one of the leading emcees on the main stage in Admiralty during the 79-day protests. Police told him that he would soon face a trial and asked him to bring HK$10,000 bail money when he reported to police on Monday, according to RTHK.

Update: Protest planned, as Amnesty Int’l condemns post-election crackdown on Hong Kong pro-democracy figures

Chu Yiu-ming, Benny Tai and Chan Kin-man. File photo: HKFP.

Organisers of the Occupy movement either reported themselves to police or were arrested in 2015, shortly after a police crackdown ended the protests.

Protest leader Joshua Wong said on Twitter on Monday that a “large scale political persecution” was expected.

Some of the leaders facing charges will report to the Wan Chai Police Headquarters together at 7:30pm on Monday.

Correction 13:20: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Chung Yiu-wah’s English name to be Eddie, as opposed to Eason. 

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Kris Cheng

Kris Cheng is a Hong Kong journalist with an interest in local politics. His work has been featured in Washington Post, Public Radio International, Hong Kong Economic Times and others. He has a BSSc in Sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Kris is HKFP's Editorial Director.