HONG KONG—Hong Kong’s police commissioner announced a “breakthrough” in the investigation of the attack on former newspaper editor Kevin Lau Chun-to, in a press conference on March 12.
Altogether, nine suspects were apprehended in China. The two attackers were arrested on March 9 in Dongguan City, Guandong Province. The other seven men were arrested in Hong Kong on March 12, on suspicion of assisting the assailants before the attack.
According to Police Commissioner Andy Tsang Wai-hung, the two attackers have ties with the criminal organization called “the triads,” but he was uncertain whether the mastermind behind the attack was one of them or some individual connected with the communist regime.
He reiterated the absence of any direct evidence linking the assault to Kevin Lau’s work for Ming Pao, a Chinese-language newspaper known for its unbiased coverage of political and economic issues, which surprised Lau’s supporters. However, he did not rule out any possibilities.
Meanwhile, the weapon used in the attack is still missing.
Kevin Lau’s Supporters
The veiled announcement drew suspicion from Kevin Lau’s supporters who noted that it came on the heels of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) final day of the Two Sessions (The National People’s Congress (NPC) and the Chinese Political Consultative Conference (CPCC)), and in conjunction with news of a chopping murder case.
To Yiu-ming, a member of the Lau Chun-to Incident Concern Group, believes Tsang ‘s statement clearly suggested the attack was unrelated to journalism, alluding to its synchronicity with the reported murder case.
Current affairs commentator Pun Siu-to agreed, saying the announcement was misleading: “Mr. Tsang, as a senior police officer, should not give such a conclusion in the absence of evidence, it has the effect of misleading the public.”
Internet users across Hong Kong and mainland China gave sarcastic reviews: “The ‘breakthrough’ announcement was synchronized with the chopping murder case at Kunming, so as to follow the directives from the central government—driving for an outcome before the close of the Two Sessions.”
Anonymous Tip
An anonymous inside source from among the CCP’s leadership ring at Zhongnanhai, told the Epoch Times that National Security Agents and the armed forces, under Zeng Qinhong’s control, are the masterminds behind the assault and the subsequent massacre at China’s Kunming Railway Station on March 1.
Zeng is the CCP’s head spy and a former member of the Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee.
According to the tip, Zeng established an armed police force—a few million strong—to serve as a “private army” for former CCP leader Jiang Zemin.
Current leader, Xi Jinping, has started to take control of Jiang’s rival forces, and the battle between the Xi and Jiang factions has come to an historically significant juncture, the source said.
Judicial Opinion
The day after the press conference (March 13), former judge of the Court of Final Appeal urged Hong Kong people to come forward to defend freedom.
The Honorable Andrew Li Kwon-nang gave a speech at the opening ceremony of De Lege Lata (The Law As It Is) held at Hong Kong University:
“The rule of law with an independent Judiciary is of pivotal importance to Hong Kong under one country-two systems. It is only under the rule of law that the freedoms, which are at the heart of our separate system, can be safeguarded. Our cherished freedoms include, of course, the freedom of speech and the freedom of the press. Vigilance must be exercised at all times by all of us to ensure that any attempt to undermine our freedoms is overcome and that our freedoms are fully protected,” he said.
In follow-up comments, Li stressed the need to remain vigilant: “We must be vigilant in defending our core values and our freedom. Needless to say, you people who work in the media are well aware of that.”
Translated by YK Lu. Written in English by Arleen Richards.
