Police arrested Democratic Party legislator Ted Hui Chi-fung on Monday, bringing the number of politicians and activists arrested for taking part in a recent altercation in Hong Kong's legislative assembly to eight.
Hui, alongside four political representatives and three pro-democracy activists, was charged for his actions during a House Committee meeting May 8 when Hong Kong's two main political camps clashed over a monthslong failure to elect a new committee head.
Pro-establishment lawmaker Starry Lee seized control of the committee in May in a move condemned by Hui and his political allies. But the meeting soon devolved into a physical altercation, with chairs used to make barricades and lawmakers dragged kicking out of the hall by security guards.
"Hong Kong has become a complete police state," Hui said after his arrest, noting that no Beijing-allied members had been charged for their roles. Police were quick to refute this allegation and issued a statement Monday saying no one is above the law.
The House Committee examines potential bills before they are put to the vote in the city's legislature, known as the Legislative Council.
"Even if I am arrested later, I would remain fearless and continue to fight for Hong Kongers' democracy," Hui said before entering the police station Monday on an unrelated matter.
He and the other defendants - including three other Democratic Party politicians and Labor Party chairperson Kwok Wing-kin among others - will appear at a magistrate's court Thursday.
The city's Legislative Council building was briefly infiltrated by activists last summer during a protest against the eventually withdrawn Extradition Bill. Since then, the political heart of Hong Kong has remained heavily fortified and guarded inside and out.
