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Hong Kong opposition activists disband Power for Democracy group in face of national security law
- Committee members vote on Saturday to immediately cease all operations, day before activists charged with subversion report to police
- Formed in 2002, group organised primary election last year that officials said breached security law
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A group of opposition activists in Hong Kong who organised a primary election said to have breached the national security law by attempting to overthrow the government disbanded on Saturday.
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The announcement came a day before 52 former opposition lawmakers and activists were expected to report to police over their arrests on subversion charges relating to the vote, with some believing they would be prosecuted.
Power for Democracy announced the move on its Facebook page, saying committee members had passed a motion to disband the organisation and cease operations immediately.
“Under the latest development in Hong Kong and the new era of political situation, the coordination work by the Power for Democracy had accomplished its historical mission,” said convenor Andrew Chiu Ka-yin. Chiu, the vice-chairman of Eastern district council.
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Chiu was one of 55 people who were arrested by the force’s National Security Department in January over their involvement in an unofficial primary poll ahead of the later-postponed Legislative Council elections. Officials described it as part of a plot to overthrow the government.
“In the future, we must, under the Basic Law, the national security law and the framework of ‘one country, two systems’, serve the Hong Kong community via different means, obey the law and safeguard the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong,” the group said.
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