Hong Kong police have arrested two men on suspicion of stealing and damaging posters promoting the “patriots only” Legislative Council election on December 7.
A 45-year-old man was apprehended for alleged theft and criminal damage after police received a tip-off on Wednesday morning that nine posters that were put up outside a building in To Kwa Wan had disappeared. One poster was damaged.
Police identified the suspect after reviewing surveillance camera footage and detained him outside the same building in the afternoon. He is currently held in police custody pending investigation.
Separately, police arrested a 71-year-old man on Wednesday afternoon in connection with two damaged LegCo election posters found on the ground of the Tsing Luk Street pedestrian footbridge in Tsing Yi.
The suspect was arrested for alleged criminal damage and is currently detained by the police for investigation.
Police warned that criminal damage and theft were serious offences that are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
“Police reiterates that we adopt a zero-tolerance approach to any behaviour that intends to interrupt or disrupt the Legislative Council election,” a police statement in Chinese read.
Wednesday’s arrests marked the latest round of law enforcement action related to damage to LegCo election promotional posters and campaign flags.
Earlier this week, a 39-year-old man was charged with criminal damage after he was arrested in connection with a damaged campaign flag found in Sai Kung. Three teenagers were arrested over three torn posters in Tuen Mun.
The December elections are the second legislative polls held after Hong Kong revamped its electoral system to ensure only “patriots” would hold power in the city. The overhaul reduced democratic representation in the legislature, tightened control of elections, and introduced a pro-Beijing vetting panel to select candidates.
The Hong Kong government said the changes would ensure the city’s stability and prosperity. But the alterations also prompted international condemnation, as they make it nearly impossible for pro-democracy candidates to stand.
