National security law: Apple Daily editorial writer released on police bail after being held for about 44 hours

Fung Wai-kong, 57, is required to report back to Wan Chai Police Station on July 26

Next Digital, meanwhile, has agreed to sell its Taiwan publishing operations, according to a stock market filing

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Police officers set up a cordon outside Next Digital’s offices in Tseung Kwan O during a raid on June 17. Photo: Winson Wong

Published: 9:20pm, 29 Jun 2021Updated: 9:20pm, 29 Jun 2021

A senior editorial writer at the now defunct Apple Daily was granted police bail on Tuesday evening after being held under Hong Kong’s national security law for about 44 hours.

Fung Wai-kong, 57, was released on HK$200,000 (US$25,640) bail and is required to report back to Wan Chai Police Station on July 26. He surrendered all his travel documents, sources said.

Fung left the station at about 6.30pm.

The paper’s parent company, Next Digital, meanwhile, has agreed to sell its Taiwan publishing operations, according to a stock market filing. It will offload the Taiwan unit, Amazing Sino International, to an undisclosed party with the deal expected to be signed by the end of July.

Trading in the company’s stock has been suspended since June 17, when police detained several Apple Daily executives, pending further announcements.

Fung Wai-kong was granted bail on Tuesday evening. Photo: Handout

Fung was intercepted at Hong Kong International Airport at around 10pm on Sunday as he was about to catch a flight bound for Britain.