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Hong Kong man arrested after paying tribute to queen

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People wait in line to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II outside the British Consulate in Hong Kong, Friday, Sept. 16, 2022. Hundreds of Hong Kong residents are lining up in front of the British Consulate General for hours each day to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, leaving piles of flowers and handwritten notes. (AP Photo/Anthony Kwan)

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong police have arrested a man who paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II near the city's British Consulate for alleged sedition.

Police said the 43-year-old man was detained late Monday near the consulate, where dozens of people had gathered to remember the late monarch. Elizabeth was sovereign in the city when it was a British colony before its handover to Chinese rule in 1997.

Local media reports said the detained man had stood outside the consulate playing songs on a harmonica including “Glory to Hong Kong," the anthem of pro-democracy protests that rocked the city in 2019. Video shared on social media showed the crowd singing along as the man played.

Police said Tuesday the man was arrested for investigation on suspicion of “committing an act with seditious intent.” They did not provide further details.

Thousands of Hong Kong residents have lined up in recent days in front of the British Consulate and left floral tributes to the queen, known affectionately as “boss lady” by many in the city who still remember colonial rule.

Until the arrest, Hong Kong authorities had allowed the orderly, somber outpouring of grief to continue.

The Associated Press

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