UK Voices Concern After 8 Pro-Democracy Politicians Arrested in Hong Kong

A British Union flag flies near the Elizabeth Tower, otherwise known as Big Ben, opposite the Houses of Parliament in central London on Dec. 7, 2016. Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP via Getty Images

The UK government spoke out on Tuesday after eight former and current opposition lawmakers were recently arrested in Hong Kong.

The arrests are in connection with a dramatic scuffle in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo) in May as the lawmakers fought for control of a key chairperson position that would determine if Beijing set the agenda for laws in the city.