CHINA TOPIX

03/28/2024 07:41:24 pm

Make CT Your Homepage

Hong Kong Authorities Nab 10 Suspected Bombers Ahead of Vote on Controversial Electoral Proposal

Honkong bomb suspects

(Photo : Reuters) Hong Kong authorities present several of the items seized during a raid in the Sai Kung District last Sunday. Ten people were arrested on suspicion of manufacturing home-made bombs during the raid.

Nine bomb-making suspects have been apprehended in a raid on Sunday, June 14 at the Sai Kung district. Hong Kong police are currently keeping security tight in the island as legislators will decide in a matter of days on whether or not to approve a pro-Beijing electoral proposal, according to Yahoo.  

Like Us on Facebook

Reuters reported that Hong Kong police raided an alleged hideout and found the explosives. Authorities also arrested nine people, who have been charged with conspiracy to manufacture explosives. 

The police held a press conference on Monday to announce the raid and arrest of five male and four female suspects aged between 21 to 34.  The police revealed that some of the arrested suspects are members of a certain radical group.

CNN has reported that a tenth suspect, a 58-year-old male, was arrested at the Lu Wo mainland China-Hong Kong border on Monday, June 15. 

Among the items seized during the raid are certain chemicals known as TATP precursors, the same kind of explosives allegedly used in terrorist bombing attacks such as the 2005 terror attack in London.  Other confiscated items include homemade smoke grenades instruction manuals, as well as a number of air soft guns and masks.  Several computers, which authorities claimed contain rough plans for making a bomb and maps that show where most city government offices and a PLA base can be located, were also seized.

The head of the Organized Crime desk, Au Chin-Chau said the maps may mean that the suspects intended to something against the Admiralty and government installations.

However, some pro-democracy leaders are suspicious about the police raid and arrest.  Joshua Wong, a pro-democracy student leader, calls it a "farce."

The political atmosphere in Hong Kong is being rocked by an electoral proposal that is set to be implemented in the 2017 election if it is approved by the legislature.

The electoral proposal guarantees Hong Kong citizen's freedom to elect their own leader in 2017 provided that the candidates will get the official blessings of Beijing.

Many pro-democracy activists have vowed to fight the proposed bill.  Some pro-democracy legislators have promised to vote it down or veto the proposal. 

Real Time Analytics