Shops blackmailed into funding protests: police

Shops blackmailed into funding protests: police

Police claimed on Friday that efforts are being made to blackmail businesses in the city into funding the ongoing anti-government protests.



At a press briefing, the force said it had received four reports of blackmail this month by a group claiming to be a "democratic alliance".



The police said faxes and emails were sent to shops warning they would be trashed unless they gave the group money, in the form of bitcoin, to be spent on further protests.



"The intimidating messages even include videos of rioters inflicting extensive damage to shops over the past few weeks," said acting chief superintendent Kong Wing-cheung.



He said the force treats such cases as a high priority and it is carrying out an active investigation into the complaints made.



Kong urged other shops in the city to report any intimidating messages or blackmail attempts.



The police also said they had made "another alarming observation" in relation to the protests, telling reporters that "rioters" are setting up illegal roadblocks.



The force said these "rioters" are intercepting passing vehicles on main roads and forcing drivers and passengers to show them their belongings and mobile phones.



"In one anti-illegal roadblock operation near to San Hui Light Rail Stop on the 7th of October we arrested 10 people, aged between 15 and 27 years, for offences including unlawful assembly and use of facial coverings at that unlawful assembly," Kong said.



He did not offer details as to why vehicles would be intercepted, but said officers were determined to "smash" such illegal activity.