Hong Kong authorities detained and questioned Saturday three pro-democracy leaders following their voluntary surrender. The Occupy movement founders were released shortly but police hints of upcoming charges. 

Occupy co-organisers Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man and Chu Yiu-ming were taken into custody and questioned by police investigators. The three, however, were immediately set free without charges but according to Yahoo News, they will remain under investigation.

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The three leaders are suspected of inciting of and participating on unauthorised assemblies from September to December last year where protesters through mass sit-ins demanded free leadership elections from Beijing.

It is understood that during interrogation, the co-leaders were presented with evidences to be used against them on future charges. "Three of us were showed some videos and articles ... we were released unconditionally," Tai was reported as saying.

One piece of evidence shown to Tai is the story he penned for the Hong Kong Economic Journal in January 2013. Described by the South China Morning Post as a landmark article, the same piece is said to have served as one of the triggers of Occupy Central in Hong Kong that lasted for 79 days in late 2014.

Looming prosecution

Hong Kong Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wang-hui told media reporters that the probe will be completed in three months, hinting that more arrests are forthcoming. He added that Tai and his co-accused will likely be re-invited for further questioning.

The police chief also dismissed reports that authorities are engaged in a PR show, saying that the co-leaders' surrender initiative was actually arranged by his office.

Hong Kong authorities running after the Occupy movement's principal instigators appear to have been signalled by a recent statement made by Chinese Vice-President Li Yuanchao.

"The interesting show is yet to come," Li was quoted by The Strait Times as commenting on the matter.

Unfazed

Tai, however, is far from being worried and told the South China Morning Post that he did not break the law.

"I have faith in Hong Kong's rule of law," he added.

According to the same publication, Legal experts in China are saying that in the event the trio are eventually charged, only one solid case will stand - either incitement or organising assembly - and any of which will lead to five years behind bar.

TagsHong Kong, Occupy Movement, umbrella revolution, Benny Tai