Disir
Platinum Member
- Sep 30, 2011
- 28,003
- 9,610
- 910
HONG KONG -- China warned Tuesday against "radical forces" in Hong Kong after police arrested 10 people on suspicion of making explosives ahead of a vote on a controversial political reform package.
Police said one suspect had claimed to be a member of a "radical local group" but would not name the group or specify motives.
The bomb allegations have been met with skepticism by some commentators in the semi-autonomous Chinese city, who questioned the timing of the revelations before the vote expected by Friday.
A senior Chinese official warned democrats to tread a "moderate" path.
"The radical opposition camp has recently resorted to despicable means ... and are engaged in extreme violent activities," said Song Ruan, deputy commissioner for Beijing's foreign affairs office in Hong Kong, without specifically referring to the arrests.
"We hope that the moderate pan-democrats will see through the true face of radical forces."
Hong Kong's legislature upped its security Tuesday saying there was "a likelihood of the legislative council complex being stormed by radical groups" in the coming days.
Pro-democracy and pro-government groups are due to rally outside Wednesday, when the bill goes for debate.
Beijing's Song urged lawmakers to pass the proposal, which sets out how Hong Kong will choose its next leader in 2017.
....All 10 suspects arrested on Sunday and Monday were held "on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives" and were still being detained.
Police also seized chemicals at an abandoned television studio in the eastern district of Sai Kung, with some detonated at the scene.
A house search led to the seizure of ingredients that police said could be used to make TATP, a highly volatile explosive believed to have been used in the deadly jihadist attacks in London in 2005.
Air rifles and "V for Vendetta" style face masks were also found. The masks were occasionally worn by protesters during the mass rallies and are a symbol of anti-establishment defiance worldwide.
One suspect, shown wearing a black hood over his face, was taken back to the scene in Sai Kung Tuesday for a police reconstruction.
"I suggest we look very carefully, deeply and calmly at this case before we give this individual incident too much priority," security expert Steve Vickers said of the arrests.
China warns HK against radical forces - The China Post
This is going to be interesting.
Police said one suspect had claimed to be a member of a "radical local group" but would not name the group or specify motives.
The bomb allegations have been met with skepticism by some commentators in the semi-autonomous Chinese city, who questioned the timing of the revelations before the vote expected by Friday.
A senior Chinese official warned democrats to tread a "moderate" path.
"The radical opposition camp has recently resorted to despicable means ... and are engaged in extreme violent activities," said Song Ruan, deputy commissioner for Beijing's foreign affairs office in Hong Kong, without specifically referring to the arrests.
"We hope that the moderate pan-democrats will see through the true face of radical forces."
Hong Kong's legislature upped its security Tuesday saying there was "a likelihood of the legislative council complex being stormed by radical groups" in the coming days.
Pro-democracy and pro-government groups are due to rally outside Wednesday, when the bill goes for debate.
Beijing's Song urged lawmakers to pass the proposal, which sets out how Hong Kong will choose its next leader in 2017.
....All 10 suspects arrested on Sunday and Monday were held "on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives" and were still being detained.
Police also seized chemicals at an abandoned television studio in the eastern district of Sai Kung, with some detonated at the scene.
A house search led to the seizure of ingredients that police said could be used to make TATP, a highly volatile explosive believed to have been used in the deadly jihadist attacks in London in 2005.
Air rifles and "V for Vendetta" style face masks were also found. The masks were occasionally worn by protesters during the mass rallies and are a symbol of anti-establishment defiance worldwide.
One suspect, shown wearing a black hood over his face, was taken back to the scene in Sai Kung Tuesday for a police reconstruction.
"I suggest we look very carefully, deeply and calmly at this case before we give this individual incident too much priority," security expert Steve Vickers said of the arrests.
China warns HK against radical forces - The China Post
This is going to be interesting.
