Instant International
Author: Cheng Yihua
2021-06-17 19:19
Last update date: 2021-06-17 19:19
After the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police arrested five directors and senior officials of Next Media Group on June 17, and searched the Apple Daily building with a court warrant, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on the same day that this demonstrated Beijing’s use of national security laws. To target dissident voices, not to respond to public safety.
Lan Taowen posted on Twitter that today’s search and arrest in Hong Kong’s Apple Daily demonstrated Beijing’s use of national security laws to target dissident voices instead of responding to public safety.
He said that press freedom is one of the rights that China promised to protect in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and should be respected.
Today's raids & arrests at Apple Daily in Hong Kong demonstrate Beijing is using the National Security Law to target dissenting voices, not tackle public security. Freedom of the press is one of the rights China promised to protect in the Joint Declaration & should be respected.
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) June 17, 2021
The Hong Kong Police National Security Department arrested five Next Media Group directors and senior executives on June 17 on suspicion of violating Article 29 of the "Minato National Security Act" "conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security."
The Liaison Office later issued a statement stating that it firmly supports the just actions of the SAR government and the police in strict law enforcement and all efforts to safeguard national security and the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. It also pointed out that freedom of the press is not a "shield" for illegal activities.
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Next Media Apple Daily
