Chairman of Hong Kong’s biggest journalist group arrested on suspicion of public disorder, obstructing police
- Ronson Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, taken into custody after officers intercepted him for a stop and search
- International media watchdog Reporters Without Borders calls for Chan’s ‘immediate release’
The head of Hong Kong’s biggest journalist union was arrested on Wednesday for alleged disorder in a public place and obstruction of a police officer.
Ronson Chan Ron-sing, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, was taken into custody after officers intercepted him to conduct a stop and search.
International media watchdog Reporters Without Borders called for the association chairman’s “immediate release” following news of his arrest.
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Hong Kong Journalist Association chairman arrested for public disorder, obstructing police
Chan, a deputy assignment editor at online news portal Channel C, was in Mong Kok providing media coverage of a meeting of Long Ping Estate property owners.
The force said their officers had stopped Chan, 41, and his companion, a 42-year-old man, for an identity check because they thought the pair were “suspicious”. It said Chan was uncooperative, refusing to provide his identity card, and was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and obstructing a police officer after multiple warnings.
The man with Chan was let go after he assisted officers during the check, according to the police’s statement. Chan was released on bail at about 11.30pm on Wednesday and must report back to police later this month.
Chan said he was astonished by his arrest after he was released from Mong Kok Police Station.
