Hong Kong police have reportedly raided the Public Opinion Research Institute (PORI) office in Wong Chuk Hang. The polling organisation is a co-organiser of this weekend’s primary legislative election for the pro-democracy camp.
Officers entered the premises on Friday evening and took away PCs, according to StandNews. The officers said they had a warrant, accusing the organisation of dishonest use of a computer. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years behind bars.
The primaries are intended to select pro-democracy candidates to run in September’s legislative election. They were organised by law professor Benny Tai, ex-lawmaker Au Nok-hin, the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute and political group Power for Democracy. There are set to be 250 polling stations.
On Thursday, Hong Kong’s constitutional affairs minister warned that the upcoming primary election may violate the new Beijing-imposed national security law. “Those who have organised, planned or participated in the primary election should be wary and avoid carelessly violating the law,” Erick Tsang said.
More to follow.
Additional reporting: Rachel Wong.
