Hong Kong police arrest pro-democracy newspaper editor | The world

The 57-year-old journalist is the seventh member of the magazine National Security Act, Imposed China In the area for almost a year (See below).

Critic of the Chinese government and in favor of the city’s political autonomy, “Apple Daily” closed its operations last week In between police operations, property freezes and arrests.

Its last edition was released on Thursday (24) after 26 years in circulation (Watch the video below).

• Read: The end of the pro-democracy newspaper is causing chaos in Hong Kong

Police have confirmed that a 57-year-old man has been detained at the airport for “collaborating with foreign forces and forces” without confirming the journalist’s name.

Fung Wei-Long signed texts under the pseudonym Lo Fung. Last week, columnist Yung Sing-ki was arrested on a similar charge He was later released on bail.

Recent events, including the closure of the Apple Daily, have almost “put an end to press freedom” in the city, the Hong Kong Press Association said in a statement.

Action against the newspaper

About 500 police officers participated Police action at the newspaper office on June 17 Five directors were arrested (Watch the video below).

Two of them Accused of “collusion with foreign powers.” For articles calling for international sanctions against Chinese authorities. They are in custody.

Tabloid was already the target of another activity last year, but This is the first time the content of an article has led to arrests under the National Security Act..

Newspaper owner, Businessman Jimmy Loy has been in custody for several months and is serving a number of sentences for participating in the 2019 pro-democracy protests..

National Security Act

Hong Kong was a British territory until 1997 when the UK signed an agreement to repatriate to China. However, the agreement was made to protect the autonomy of the region.

But it has been increasingly insulted by the Chinese communist government, Especially after the 2018 protests for more political freedom and less Chinese intervention in Hong Kong.

The National Security Act was approved by Hong Kong’s parliament in 2020 without passing through, and incorporated into the territory’s “basic law”, which has served as a “mini-constitution” since 1997.

It criminalized much of the protest and gave the authorities broader investigative powers, in addition allowing people to be sentenced to life imprisonment.

More than 100 people, including the city’s top pro-democracy activists, have been detained under the National Security Act. Some have fled abroad.

The law aims to curb “separatism”, “terrorism”, “subjugation” and “alliances with foreign and foreign powers”, and the newspaper was seen by the Chinese government as an issue for its open support for the pro-democracy movement in the city. .

China says legislation is needed to restore stability in Hong Kong, but critics – including many Western nations – say it Since its return in 1997 it has buried the Chinese promise that the city will remain with some independence and autonomy.

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