Andy Chan, the leader of the banned pro-independence Hong Kong National Party, has said that he was detained on Thursday night whilst trying to board a flight to Japan.

Andy Chan. Photo: Kris Cheng/HKFP.

The detention was requested by police, Chan said in a Facebook message.

A police spokesperson told HKFP that Chan was arrested on suspicion of rioting and assaulting a police officer. The Organized Crime And Triad Bureau are investigating.

Eight people, including Chan, were arrested in Sha Tin earlier in August for possession of offensive weapons. Police found petrol bombs and other items at an industrial building in Fo Tan.

His party was banned under the Societies Ordinance last year after the authorities deemed it a threat to national security.

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