Andy Chan, founder of banned Hong Kong National Party, among eight arrested in raid, while family of three detained over smoke bombs in separate operation

Rowdy crowd gathers outside Sha Tin Police Station where they assumed Chan and those arrested with him were sent

Chan tells supporters not to be afraid of arrest, adding ‘there is no turning back’

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Police escort those arrested in the industrial building. Photo: RTHK

Published: 1:50am, 2 Aug 2019Updated: 1:59pm, 2 Aug 2019

Hong Kong police arrested the founder of a banned pro-independence group during a raid on an industrial building on Thursday while in a separate operation, a family of three was detained after dozens of smoke bombs were found in their home.

Andy Chan Ho-tin, founder of the outlawed Hong Kong National Party, was among eight arrested in Haribest Industrial Building on Au Pui Wan Street in Sha Tin.

Haribest Industrial Building on Au Pui Wan Street, where police arrested eight people. Photo: RTHK

The group comprised seven men and a woman, who were all detained on suspicion of possession of offensive weapons.

According to Chan’s lawyer, no charges have been formally laid, as of Friday morning.

In a statement released through his lawyer, Chan said: “Have no fear for white terror, do not be afraid of being arrested. There is only the path forward, there is no turning back.”

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