Hong Kong’s national security police arrested nine men, aged 20 to 25, on Thursday night for allegedly conducting “unlawful drills” that involved military‑style firearms and combat training.
What authorities say
Police invoked the “illegal drilling” provision of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (Article 23) for the first time. Chief superintendent Steve Li said a tip‑off earlier this year led investigators to a group organizing military‑style training in an industrial building in San Po Kong.
Superintendent Chow Hok‑yin confirmed officers entered the premises with a court warrant, finding six men inside – one acting as an instructor. Officers seized five air rifles, two air pistols, replicas of five military knives, a long sword and objects bearing anti‑government slogans. Objects suspected to be explosives were sent to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, and a 3D printer was also recovered for examination.
Separate raids in Tai Po and Yau Ma Tei resulted in three additional arrests. All nine suspects are being detained for investigation.
Why the arrests matter
The use of the “illegal drilling” offence marks a new enforcement step under Article 23, which already criminalises treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. The law allows up to seven years’ imprisonment for providers of illegal drills and up to three years for receivers, with harsher penalties if foreign elements are involved.
Li linked the suspects to recent gatherings at the Wang Fuk Court memorial site for the fatal November 26 fire that claimed at least 160 lives. He noted that some of the men wore clothing reminiscent of the 2019 pro‑democracy protests, suggesting “seeds of unrest” remain present.
Police intelligence indicated one arrested individual warned he could use his newly acquired combat skills against police or government supporters should protests similar to those in 2019 recur.
Possible next steps
Police have not ruled out further arrests, and investigators will determine whether the 3D printer was used to produce firearm components. If prosecutors pursue charges, suspects could face up to seven years in prison for providing the drills, or three years for simply receiving the training. Foreign involvement could raise maximum sentences to ten years for providers and five years for receivers.
Analysts expect the case to be closely watched as a test of how far the new security framework will be applied to domestic groups that blend protest symbolism with paramilitary training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific items were seized during the raids?
Police confiscated five air rifles, two air pistols, replicas of five military knives, a long sword, anti‑government slogans, objects suspected to be explosives and a 3D printer.
Under which law were the suspects charged?
The arrests were made under the “illegal drilling” provision of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, also known as Article 23.
What penalties could the suspects face?
Providing illegal drilling can carry up to seven years’ imprisonment, while receiving the training can lead to up to three years. If foreign elements are involved, the maximum penalties rise to ten years for providers and five years for receivers.
How do you think the enforcement of the illegal‑drilling clause will affect future security operations in Hong Kong?
