HK activist arrested before travelling to Taiwan

Hong Kong:  Hong Kong authorities arrested a pro-democracy activist at the city's airport while on her way to Taiwan to observe this weekends presidential election, it was revealed on Friday.

Demosisto activist Lily Wong, 26, was held for her alleged involvement in a July 1, 2019 attack on the Legislative Council and charged with conspiracy to commit criminal damage and occupying the Council premises, the pro-democracy group wrote Friday on Facebook.

Group co-founder Joshua Wong told Efe news that the activist, later released on bail, was going to Taiwan as an international observer for Saturday's election.

According to Demosisto, Wong did not know police had listed her as wanted.

The group urged everyone involved in the protests to be wary of surprise detentions at immigration checkpoints.

A July 1 protest on the occasion of the anniversary of Hong Kong's sovereignty transfer to China saw hundreds of young protesters storming and occupying the city's Parliament.

Hong Kong's political situation has been volatile for months.

Massive crowds took to the streets demanding better democratic mechanisms on June 9 following a controversial extradition bill which has since been withdrawn.

The months-long protests have also adversely affected Hong Kong's economy.

The special administrative region went into recession last year for the first time in a decade - contracting 2.9 per cent in the third quarter - as a result of declining imports and exports, retail sales and tourism.