Explainer | Where does the Apple Daily raid fit into Hong Kong’s enforcement of national security law?
- Monday’s raid on the Apple Daily offices was the largest of its kind, involving some 200 officers
- But the arrests of publisher Jimmy Lai and others were just the latest in a steady drumbeat of actions taken under the new national security law
Hong Kong police on Monday arrested media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, one of his sons and an executive of his publishing group, as well as at least three activists, for allegedly colluding with foreign forces under the city’s sweeping new national security law.
Lai, a fierce critic of Beijing, has been the most high-profile figure detained under the controversial legislation, which was imposed by the central government on Hong Kong. The law, which criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, came into force late on June 30.
Another one of Lai’s sons and several more of his business associates were also arrested alongside Lai on accusations of conspiracy to defraud.
The police raid on Lai’s publishing group, Next Media, was the biggest crackdown of its kind, following similar raids on the homes of several activists of the now-disbanded pro-independence group Studentlocalism less than two weeks ago.
Critics, meanwhile, say the new law has become a useful weapon in the government’s arsenal of repression, and since it came into effect 41 days ago, authorities have not hesitated to make arrests under it.
How many arrests have been made under the law since July 1, and how many have been charged or brought to court?