Hong Kong police called for a security law to arrest the main journalists

Hong Kong police have arrested the general manager and director of a pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai newspaper for his direct use of the national security law in the territory against journalists.

The Apple Daily reported that at least 100 police officers searched its offices early Thursday, ordered journalists arriving at work to register their identities and prevented them from filming the essay or going to the tables. Instead, they told reporters to gather in another part of the building.

Police said the raid was aimed at gathering “evidence of a case of alleged violation of the National Security Act.” They used an order to search and seize journalistic materials.

China introduced a tough new security law almost a year ago to satisfy dissent in 2019 following protests against Hong Kong governments.

The law has paved the way repression on civil liberties in the city, with the massive arrests of political activists and anyone who is considered disloyal to Beijing, such as school teachers and judges.

Thursday’s arrests were not the first move against the media under the clip, it was the first time the authorities had mentioned the security law in an action against journalists.

The security law, which punishes crimes such as overturning and collusion with foreign elements, imposes a life sentence.

Lai has already been there imprisoned in another case and his assets have been frozen, which includes a 71 percent stake in Next Media, the company that owns Apple Daily.

Among those arrested on Thursday were Ryan Law, CEO of Apple Daily, and online editor Nick Cheung, according to the newspaper. Cheung Kim-hung, CEO of Next Digital, Royston Chow, chief operating officer, and Chan Pui-man, associate publisher, were also arrested.

Police said they had arrested “five directors of a company” under the security law for “associating with a foreign country or foreign elements that endangered national security.”

Hong Kong police chief Chris Tang has expressed repression against the press, he said “False news” laws journalists fear that the authorities will give them more power to police the media.

He highlighted the Apple Daily, a well-known tabloid known for its willingness to confront and criticize the government, as a possible target for further police action. It was a newspaper raid in August last year.

Critics say the security law has violated rights such as freedom of expression, as Hong Kong promised when China took over UK territory in 1997.

A Next Media reporter said staff are “mentally prepared” to arrest the editors-in-chief, but was shocked by the police network. “Freedom of the press is completely prevailing,” he told the Financial Times.

“I’m really worried about Hong Kong if Apple Daily loses… Other newspapers will be too scared to report sensitive issues.”

Despite the attacks and financial uncertainty caused by the freeze on Lai’s assets, he has vowed to continue publishing the newspaper.

Next Digital announced a halt in share trading on Thursday.