June 4, 2024
HONG KONG – Hong Kong police on Monday arrested an eighth suspect accused of posting seditious content online, following the arrest last week of seven people in the same national security case.
The latest arrestee, a 62-year-old man charged with offenses related to seditious intention, is reported to be related to another suspect of the case — Chow Hang-tung, who was the vice-chairwoman of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
The Police Force’s National Security Department said the arrest took place in Sha Tin earlier the day, and the man has been detained for further questioning.
Police on May 28 arrested five women and one man accused of committing offenses with seditious intent under the city’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which was enacted on March 23.
Among those arrested then was Chow, who is currently serving a sentence at the Tai Lam Centre for Women after a conviction related to an unauthorized assembly in 2021.
The police investigation found that one woman in custody and believed to be Chow, with the assistance of other suspects, had taken advantage of an upcoming sensitive date to publish posts on a social media page beginning in April, aiming to stir up public hatred for the central government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and the Judiciary.
The posts also attempted to incite netizens to organize or participate in illegal activities, police said.
The following day, police arrested another 53-year-old woman on Hong Kong Island for allegedly violating the same count under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The woman arrested on Wednesday is also being held on suspicion of funneling approximately HK$140,000 ($17,902) through an online platform to fugitives who include Nathan Law Kwun-chung, who has been wanted by police on suspicion of violating the National Security Law for Hong Kong.
Her behavior violates Article 21 of the NSL, which prohibits people from providing financial assistance to those who violate the NSL, police said.
Police reiterated that offenses connected with seditious intention are serious crimes, and those who commit them face a maximum penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment.
Also, any act of inciting, assisting in, abetting or providing pecuniary or other financial assistance or property to another person by any means for committing offenses endangering national security will constitute an offense, police stressed.