UK, US musicians arrested in Hong Kong over visas

The founder of Hong Kong's independent music venue Hidden Agenda along with members of a British band and an American musician were arrested following a raid in the club by police and immigration officers, the media reported on Monday.

A photo posted on Hidden Agenda's Facebook page showed founder Hui Chung-wo being taken away on Sunday night in a police van after the raid during a performance by the British band This Town Needs Guns and American multi-instrumentalist Mylets, the South China Morning Post reported.

A video footage showed police personnel were deployed with riot shields and dogs.

A government official said the Immigration Department received a tip-off that a number of foreign musicians would be performing at Hidden Agenda without the required visas on Sunday night, prompting the authorities to send undercover officers posing as audience members to the gig.

"The British and American musicians came to Hong Kong as visitors, which means they are not allowed to engage in any employment in the city (without a visa)," the South China Morning Post quoted the official as saying.

"Customers had to buy tickets to the concert. The authority therefore believed the foreign musicians had a work relationship with the organiser, regardless if they were paid or unpaid for the performance."

Hidden Agenda was required to secure work visas for any foreign performers, he added.

However, the foreign musicians were released early Monday morning and asked to report to immigration officials later in the day.

This Town Needs Guns and Mylets are currently in the middle of a tour of Asia with upcoming dates on Tuesday in Guangzhou, China, followed by concerts in Beijing and Shanghai.

Visitors taking on unlawful employment in Hong Kong face two years' imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 Hong Kong dollars ($6,420) on conviction, while employing illegal workers is subject to three years' imprisonment and a 350,000 Hong Kong dollars fine.

--IANS

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