(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Hong Kong police said Monday they have arrested nine citizens on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture explosives, just days ahead of a vote on a controversial political reform plan.
Five men and four women, aged from 21 to 34, were arrested by the Police Organized Crime and Triad Bureau on Sunday evening, the police said in a press release.
Police investigation also revealed that two men brought some chemical ingredients for an explosive test, but they were immediately arrested with chemicals seized and smoke found at scene.
In addition, the police seized chemical ingredients for manufacturing a form of high explosive triacetone triperoxide in one of the suspects' house, the document said. They also seized some chemicals, computers, promotion leaflets, maps, masks, thinner water, and some air rifles. The maximum penalty for making explosives will be 20 years' imprisonment.
The arrests come as the Legislative Council is expected to vote on the controversial electoral reform package later this week that would effectively exclude pro-democracy candidates from the first direct election for the city's Chief Executive in 2017.
Last year, protesters occupied several main roads and streets in Hong Kong for about 70 days in protest at a decision in August by China's National People's Congress Standing Committee, which said candidates in the 2017 Chief Executive election must be approved by a pro-Beijing nominating panel.
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