Three former Hong Kong opposition lawmakers charged over bid to disrupt passage of national anthem law

Hong Kong police arrested and charged three former opposition lawmakers on Wednesday over their attempts to disrupt the passage of the national anthem bill earlier this year by using rotten plants or fertiliser to create a stink in the legislature.

Ted Hui Chi-fung, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and Eddie Chu Hoi-dick were arrested at their homes at around 7am, charged and released on bail in the afternoon, and were expected to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Without identifying them, police confirmed that three men, aged between 38 and 48, had been arrested on contempt charges under the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance.

The law states that anyone who “creates or joins in any disturbance which interrupts or is likely to interrupt” the proceedings of Legco meetings can be considered to have acted illegally. Offenders are liable to a fine of HK$10,000 (US$1,282) and 12 months in prison.

Police said the trio were also detained on suspicion of violating the Offences against the Person Ordinance, under which anyone who unlawfully and maliciously administers “noxious” material with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy a person is considered to have broken the law. The maximum penalty for this offence is three years behind bars.