A senior journalist of the now-defunct Hong Kong pro-democracy newspaper Apple Every day was arrested on the airport whereas trying to go away town.
Fung Wai-kong was believed to be leaving for the UK when he was arrested on Sunday night time, native media reported.
The Hong Kong police stated in an announcement {that a} 57-year-old man had been arrested on the airport for “conspiring to collude with overseas international locations or overseas forces to hazard nationwide safety”. They added that he had been detained and investigations have been persevering with.
Fung is the seventh senior Apple Every day determine to be arrested in two weeks. Earlier this month, authorities froze $2.3m value of property linked to the Apple Every day newspaper. Final week, Apple Every day printed its ultimate version and ceased operations.
The Hong Kong Journalists Affiliation condemned the police for concentrating on journalists.
“The HKJA reiterates that freedom of speech and freedom of the press are core values of Hong Kong,” it stated in an announcement. “If even the writing of the literati can’t be tolerated, will probably be tough for Hong Kong to be considered a global metropolis.”
Fung’s arrest additionally comes as pro-democracy on-line information outlet Stand Information stated in an announcement that it will take away commentaries revealed on its web site earlier than June and halt its fundraising efforts due to considerations over the sweeping nationwide safety regulation.
The measures have been taken to guard the information outlet’s supporters, writers and editorial staffers within the “literary inquisition” of Hong Kong, Stand Information stated in an announcement.
Regardless of the precautionary measures taken, Stand Information pledged to maintain reporting the information.
“Previously six and a half years, the Stand Information group has been via trials and hardships with the individuals of Hong Kong, cherishing one another and weaving the frequent reminiscence of Hong Kong’s survival,” it stated. “To go on these recollections, we are going to keep on with our posts, stroll with the individuals of Hong Kong … and write and file the information and happenings in Hong Kong.”
The net information platform additionally stated it will cease taking cash from subscribers and donors and cease accepting new subscriptions to stop the danger of cash going to waste. Underneath the nationwide safety regulation, property could be frozen if authorities consider the cash is linked to a associated crime.
With Related Press and Reuters