Chinese Regime Arrests Editor-in-Chief and Four Other Directors of Apple Daily in Hong Kong for “Conspiracy”

Hong Kong police arrested the editor of the daily today Apple Daily and four other cadres in the capital for an alleged plot to “conspire with foreign forces”, a crime typical of the security law that China imposed on the former British colony.

The newspaper itself confirmed on its website that among those arrested was editor-in-chief Ryan Law; editor-in-chief Cheung Kim-hung; CFO Royston Chow tat-kuen of partner Next Digital; deputy editor Chan Pui-man and editor of the digital version of the newspaper, Cheung Chi-wai.

About 200 agents entered the newspaper’s headquarters this morning to carry out a search with judicial authorization, says the newspaper on its website.

The newspaper adds that these people are accused of having violated article 29 of the aforementioned law., which prohibits “conspiring with foreign forces or countries to endanger national security”.

According to the newspaper South China Morning Post, which quotes police sources, the arrests are related to “articles published in the newspaper whose distribution would have constituted an offense under the law on national security”.

Apple Daily was founded by media mogul Jimmy Lai, who is currently in prison for his participation in the anti-government protests that hit the city in 2019.

Lai was sentenced in April to 14 months in prison for organizing and participating in two unauthorized protests in 2019., but he is also charged with charges such as “conspiracy to conspire with foreign forces” or “conspiracy to obstruct the course of justice” under the Security Act.

The tycoon, born in Guangzhou, southern China, started his fortune in the textile industry and later entered the media business and founded the Apple Daily, leader known for his critical positions with Beijing and in support of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.

When he was indicted for his participation in the protests, Chinese state media described him as “the spirit in the shadows of the riots.”

Controversial Beijing law provides for sentences of up to life imprisonment for assumptions such as secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces, and has been heavily criticized by the city’s pro-democracy movement, which believes the legislation will not only punish dissent, but also end the autonomy and freedoms enjoyed by the former British colony.

With information from EFE

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