Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders arrested in dawn raids as activists beaten by thugs on eve of new mass march

Several prominent pro-democracy activists and lawmakers have been arrested in Hong Kong within 24 hours in a sweeping crackdown ahead of a key weekend of mass protests.

Joshua Wong, 22, the student leader of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2014, was bundled into an unmarked car near a subway station at 7.30am, according to Demosisto, a political group he co-founded.

Another prominent leader with Demosisto, Agnes Chow, 22, was arrested at her home later in the morning. Both were escorted to Hong Kong police headquarters. Police said Wong and Chow were arrested for inciting, organising and participating in unlawful assembly.

Andy Chan, 28, the founder of banned the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party, was detained at the Hong Kong International Airport late Thursday, and told by police he would be arrested soon for a case in relation to organised crime, according to a Facebook post on his profile.

Pro-democracy lawmakers were also swept up Friday, including Cheng Chung-tai, Au Nok-hin and Jeremy Tam. Mr Cheng, chairman of the radical Civic Passion political party, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit criminal damage when protesters stormed the legislature July 1, according to a Facebook post for a page of his party.

Mr Au was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer and obstruction, and Mr Tam was arrested for obstructing police, police told local media.

Rick Hui Yiu-yu, a member of a district council, was also arrested Friday, his assistant confirmed to the Telegraph, though it’s unclear on what grounds.

Althea Suen, former president of Hong Kong University’s student union, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to destroy or damage property, and for entering and remaining in the legislative building, according to a message posted by a friend on her Facebook profile.

The spate of arrests comes ahead of another potentially explosive weekend, as police again denied permission for a mass march on Saturday to mark the fifth anniversary of a decision by Beijing to impose restrictions on leadership elections – a move that kicked off the Umbrella Movement, 79 days of protests led by Mr Wong.

Police may be betting that cuffing key figures might help put an end to mass protests that have roiled the city for three months. The police can also hold people for up to 48 hours without charging them, which means those arrested won't be able to take the streets this weekend.

Police rejected on security grounds a plan by protest organisers to march toward China’s liaison office in Hong Kong, long a symbol of encroaching Communist Party influence in the former British colony.

March organiser pro-democracy Civil Human Rights Front said it was calling off the demonstration to ensure all its events remained peaceful and legal. But a hardcore minority of protesters, largely young students, are still expected to come out, enraged by the arrests and the government’s repeated refusals to make any concessions.

Earlier this week, some key protest organisers told the Telegraph they had received anonymous letters threatening their safety and that of their families.

Two activists, including Jimmy Sham of CHRF – the group convening this weekend's main march – said they were attacked and beaten Thursday by men wielding baseball bats, cleavers, and metal rods.

Man-kei Tam, director of Amnesty International Hong Kong, condemned the moves as “scare tactics straight out of Beijing’s playbook.... The authorities must end this concerted attack on the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.”

“It is vital that the authorities send a clear message that people in Hong Kong can still enjoy these rights irrespective of their political beliefs,” said Mr Tam.

More than 900 people have been arrested in connection with demonstrations since June. By Friday afternoon, Mr Wong and Ms Chow were released on bail.

The crackdown comes as Hong Kong leaders scramble for an appropriate response after three months of protests, which have brought millions to the street, shut down the airport, and covered the glittering financial hub in clouds of tear gas. Protests first touched off against a proposal allowing extraditions to mainland China, but activists’ demands quickly grew into broader calls for democracy and police accountability.

Student protester, Kelly, who wanted to be identified only by her first name, said the arrests would not cow the movement.

"The police think there are leaders behind the protests and this will stop us. We are our own leaders and we will keep coming out,” she said. "The government doesn't understand this."

Last Sunday, the city saw some of its worst clashes, with running battles between protesters armed with bricks and petrol bombs and police wielding batons, rubber bullets and tear gas.

One officer fired a warning shot, the first live round used after months of protests, after a group of protesters with sticks charged at police.

China has responded with a campaign of intimidation, releasing ominous images and video of military troop movements in Hong Kong and neighbouring Shenzhen.

Protesters say freedoms in the semi-autonomous city, unique within China, are being eviscerated by Beijing.

The city has rights and liberties unseen on the mainland, including an independent judiciary and freedom of speech, meant to be guaranteed under the terms of a deal that kicked in when Hong Kong was returned to Beijing in 1997.

Additional reporting by Anna Kam and Michael Zhang