National security law: Hong Kong authorities hit back at Next Digital, accuse it of trying to shift blame for decisions
- Security Bureau also accuses Next Digital, parent of defunct Apple Daily newspaper, of attempting to make law enforcement authorities a scapegoat
- Remaining directors quit on Sunday and claimed company had since last year been targeted by authorities under national security law
The Security Bureau on Monday also accused the firm, which is the parent of the defunct Apple Daily newspaper, of attempting to make law enforcement authorities a scapegoat after the company said a crackdown under the legislation made it impossible to continue operating.
The bureau’s strongly worded response was sparked by a Hong Kong stock exchange filing on Sunday in which the company announced its remaining directors would step down. The board – comprising the chairman and three directors – also called on the government to allow the company’s liquidation to pay former staff and creditors.
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In the statement, the board claimed the company had since last year been targeted by the authorities under the Beijing-imposed national security law, which criminalises acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces.
“The Hong Kong government has never indicated which articles published by Apple Daily allegedly violated the national security law,” the statement said.
“This uncertainty created a climate of fear, resulting in many resignations among the remaining staff at the company in Hong Kong, including those responsible for the regulatory compliance duties of a publicly traded company.”
The bureau said the authorities had acted in accordance with the law.