Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai arrested under national security law
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been arrested over suspected collusion with international forces underneath the brand new nationwide safety legislation, his prime aide mentioned on Twitter, in what’s the highest-profile arrest but underneath the laws.
Lai, 71, has been probably the most outstanding democracy activists within the Chinese-ruled metropolis and an ardent critic of Beijing, which imposed the sweeping new legislation on Hong Kong on June 30, drawing condemnation from Western nations.
The new safety legislation punishes something China considers subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with international forces with as much as life in jail.
Critics say it crushes freedoms within the semi-autonomous metropolis, whereas supporters say it’s going to convey stability after extended pro-democracy protests final 12 months.
“Jimmy Lai is being arrested for collusion with foreign powers at this time,” Mark Simon, a senior govt at Lai`s media firm Next Digital, which publishes native tabloid Apple Daily, mentioned early on Monday.
Hong Kong police mentioned they’d arrested seven individuals on suspicion of breaching the town`s new nationwide safety legislation, citing offences together with collusion with international powers. They had been all native males, aged 39-72, it mentioned, with out naming them.
Police mentioned the operation was ongoing and additional arrests had been potential.
Apple Daily reported that Lai was taken away from his house in Ho Man Tin early on Monday. The paper says one in every of Lai`s sons, Ian, was additionally arrested at his house.
An Apple Daily supply mentioned different senior executives within the firm had been amongst these focused. Police had been looking out their properties, the supply mentioned.
“We are arranging lawyers and so on to defend ourselves. We see this as straight harassment,” the supply mentioned.
Around 10 different individuals had been anticipated to be arrested on Monday, native newspaper South China Morning Post reported, with out naming its sources.
Next Digital shares plunged as a lot as 11% early on Monday.
The legislation has steered China additional on a collision course with the West, prompting nations together with Australia, Canada and Britain to droop extradition treaties with Hong Kong.
On main circumstances in Hong Kong, the central authorities in Beijing can declare jurisdiction. The laws permits brokers to take suspects throughout the border for trials in Communist Party-controlled courts, one challenge that has raised alarm at house and abroad.
CHILLING EFFECT
Lai was additionally arrested this 12 months on unlawful meeting fees, together with different main activists, regarding protests final 12 months.
In an interview with Reuters in May, Lai pledged to remain in Hong Kong and proceed to struggle for democracy though he anticipated to be one of many targets of the brand new laws.
Before Monday, 15 individuals had been arrested underneath the legislation, together with 4 aged 16-21 late final month over posts on social media.
The new laws has despatched a chill via Hong Kong, affecting many facets of life. Activists have disbanded their organisations, whereas some have fled the town altogether.
Slogans have been declared unlawful, sure songs and actions corresponding to forming human chains have been banned in colleges, and books have been taken off cabinets in public libraries.
Hong Kong authorities have additionally issued arrest warrants for six pro-democracy activists who fled the town and who police suspect violated the brand new safety legislation.
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, the territory`s present and former police chiefs and eight different prime officers for what Washington says is their function in curbing political freedoms within the territory.
Beijing`s prime consultant workplace in Hong Kong described the sanctions as “clowning actions.”
Beijing and the Hong Kong authorities have mentioned the legislation is not going to have an effect on rights and freedoms, and that it’s wanted to plug safety loopholes. They mentioned it’s going to solely goal a small minority of “troublemakers.”
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