HONG KONG – The Hong Kong police arrested on Sunday opposition  politicians suspected of violating the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance during a chaotic LegCo meeting in May.

In a statement, the police confirmed the arrests of six men and one woman, aged between 33 and 63, after an in-depth investigation and consultation with the Department of Justice. They were arrested for contempt and interference with LegCo officers.

The police confirmed the arrests of six men and one woman, aged between 33 and 63, after an in-depth investigation and consultation with the Department of Justice

Speaking at a media briefing, Superintendent Chan Wing-yu of the Hong Kong Island Regional Crime Headquarters said the arrestees included current and former lawmakers, as well as one legislative assistant.

According to local media, those arrestedincluded opposition lawmakers Wu Chi-wai, Andrew Wan Siu-kin, Helena Wong Pik-wan and Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, former opposition lawmakers Raymond Chan Chi-chuen and Chu Hoi-dick as well as Labour Party chairman Steven Kwok Wing-kin.

On May 8, a group of legislators allegedly committed disorderly behavior, including rushing past security guards and storming the chairman’s desk, during a meeting in Conference Room 1 of the Legislative Council Complex.

“Some even threw papers across the chamber from the public galleries, which had seriously disrupted the meeting,” Chan added.

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The police received a call reporting the chaos from the LegCo secretariat and the case was followed up by an investigative team.

Chan said that any law enforcement action was taken in accordance with the law and evidence gathered during the police investigation.

“Law enforcement action was taken on this basis, it is not about someone’s social status or political background,” he said.

Chan did not rule out the possibility that more people will be arrested. He said the seven individuals will be released on bail pending a court appearance on Nov 5.

If convicted, the arrested politicians face up to 12 months in prison and HK$10,000 in fines.

With inputs from Xinhua