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China: Hong Kong police raids and arrests staff of pro-democracy Stand News outlet

allegedly charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publication" according to Hong Kong's Police

HONG KONG, Dec 29 – Hundreds of national security police in Hong Kong stormed the office of online pro-democracy media outlet Stand News on Wednesday and arrested six people, including senior staff, for “conspiracy to publish riotous literature”.

Stand News, founded in 2014 as a non-profit organization, is the most prominent book left to support democracy in Hong Kong following a national security investigation earlier this year that led to the closure of the tabloid of arrested arch-rival Jimmy Lai Apple Daily.

The raid also raised concerns about freedom of speech and the media in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that human rights would be protected.

Police said in a statement they were conducting an investigation into a letter authorizing them to “search and seize appropriate journalistic literature”.

“More than 200 police officers in uniform and unusual clothing have been deployed in the operation. The search is ongoing,” the statement said.

Top Stand News employees could not be reached for comment.

Rebellion is not one of the crimes listed under the national sweeping security law passed by Beijing in the city in June 2020 punishing terrorism, collusion with foreign forces, subversion and separation from possible life imprisonment.

But recent court decisions have freed authorities to use the new powers enacted to enforce the less restrictive colonial laws, including the Crime Ordinance, which included sedition.

Officials say the national security law has restored order after the most frequent democratic riots in 2019 and does not deprive them of their rights and freedoms. Critics say the law is a tool to end opposition and set the world financial framework in place for authorization.

In June, hundreds of police raided Apple Daily premises, arresting officials for allegedly “co-operation with the outside world”. The newspaper closed after police suspended its property.

On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a lawsuit against Lai and six other Apple Daily employees for “sedition”, adding to previous charges. The indictment stated that their publications could “incite hatred and contempt” or “stir up strife” against the Hong Kong and Chinese governments.

Police have not yet disclosed which Apple Daily or Stand News articles they consider to be seditious.

Also Read: The Pillar of Shame for China: Hong Kong’s Tiananmen Square

‘SPEAKING CRIMES’ No Freedom of Expression.

The Stand News charter states that it will be independent, self-governing and committed to upholding Hong Kong’s fundamental principles of “democracy, human rights, the rule of law and justice”.

In the wake of the Apple Daily attack, Stand News said it would stop accepting student donations and reduce comments in the area to protect fans, writers and editing staff, adding that “speech crime” has arrived in Hong Kong.

The June proclamation announced that former attorney general and former democratically elected legislator Margaret Ng, pop singer Denise Ho and four others had resigned from its board, leaving two founding directors, Tony Tsoi and former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen.

Local media reported that the six people arrested Wednesday include Ng, Ho, Chung, acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam and two former board members Chow Tat-chi and Christine Fang.

Stand News posted a video of police arriving at the residence of Ronson Chan, deputy editor and head of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.

“It is a case of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. This is a court order and this is my authorization card. Your phone is interfering with our work,” a police officer appeared.

Also Read: Didi exits Wall Street under Beijing pressure

Local Cable TV presenter said Chan was not arrested but only assisted in the investigation.

Police in another statement said they had arrested three men and three women, aged between 34 and 73, and that their homes were being searched. He did not name the prisoners, as is his custom.

The Stand News office in the industrial building in the Kwun Tong workers’ district was slightly closed, with dozens of police officers packed into the lobby and four bakkies parked below, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene.

The 14th floor media liaison officer said it would not be allowed to enter the office given the “ongoing work”.

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