Speaking after his arrest, Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong condemned Beijing authorities for trying to create a chilling effect, adding that the city’s judicial system has been weaponized to silence dissidents.

“Even if they can prosecute us, they can arrest us, they can lock us up in prison, but they can’t censor our commitment to continue to fight for freedom,” Wong asserted in a press briefing outside the Central Police Station upon his release.

The 23-year-old was arrested over his participation in an unauthorized assembly on Oct. 5 last year, alongside alleged violation of the anti-mask law, when reporting to the Central Police Station on Thursday afternoon. The controversial mask ban rolled out by Chief Executive Carrie Lam last October has prompted hundreds and thousands to take to the streets.

It’s time to let the world know how the judicial system is being weaponized to become a tool of the Chinese authorities to silence dissidents, said Wong.

The court hearing is scheduled on Sept. 30, a day before the National Day of China and when Chinese authorities are expected to announce if they are formally arresting the 12 Hong Kong activists who have been detained in Shenzhen for over a month now.

Wong said the move is timed to create a chilling effect.

What he faces is insignificant in comparison to the 12 detainees in China and other protesters who have been jailed or remanded in custody, said Wong. He appealed to the international community to focus not only on prominent activists like himself, but also on the plight of other freedom fighters in Hong Kong.

He also urged the government to stop political prosecution. “Chilling effect is not the way out and it will not make us surrender,” said the young activist.

Also on Thursday, veteran activist Koo Sze-yiu was arrested at his home for alleged unauthorized assembly on Oct. 5 last year. The 71-year-old was taken to Cheung Sha Wan Division Police Station to make a statement, before he was supposed to attend a doctor’s appointment at the hospital.

The Court of Appeal has in April ruled that Hong Kong’s ban on wearing masks is partially constitutional, overturning the High Court’s decision that the law was unconstitutional and restricting fundamental rights last November.

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