Apple’s live video also revealed a handcuffed Jimmy Lai being walked through the office by police officers after being arrested at his home. He was charged on suspicion of collusion with a foreign country or external elements to endanger China’s national security, according to a statement released by the Hong Kong Police force.
“The Police entered and searched a building in Tseung Kwan O in accordance with a warrant issued by a magistrate to gather evidence for offenses related to national security,” a police statement announced on Facebook.
Police Action Threatens Hong Kong’s Free Press
Reports have also surfaced of Hong Kong’s police blocking media outlets from reporting from the scene of the raid.The barred media included Reuters, AFP, Associated Press (AP), NowTV, Initium Media, Stand News, and inmediahk, according to reports by the journalists from respective media organizations.
During this time, Li Kwai-wah, the senior superintendent of the National Security Department briefed the media on Lai’s arrest and the raid of Apple Daily’s offices. Barred media were unable to directly report his comments. Some reporters who were allowed to stream his press conference were barred from asking any questions.
In his statement, Li said that the police would refrain from searching news-related materials in Apple Daily’s headquarters. But his statement was at odds with Apple Daily’s livestream, in which police officers were seen searching the desks of reporters in the newsroom.
The police have not yet responded to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.
Monday’s events have raised widespread concern about the state of press freedom in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Journalists Association Chair Chris Yeung said the police search was “horrendous” in a statement at the scene of the raid, calling on the city’s journalists to prepare for the worst.
International Outcry
When asked about Lai’s arrest, Taiwan’s Premier Su Tseng-chang told reporters, “China should not treat Hong Kong this way. We still urge the Chinese government to keep its promise and respect Hong Kong’s democracy and freedom.”The raid and Lai’s arrest follow months of international concern after the CCP enacted sweeping national security laws for the former British colony. Critics worry that the laws give way for the CCP to crackdown on Hongkongers’ freedoms after a year of tumultuous protests borne out of anger at the government.
On July 30, the government disqualified more than a dozen pro-democracy candidates from running in election. A day later, the city’s chief executive Carrie Lam postponed the upcoming legislative elections for a year, citing COVID-19 concerns.
U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo declared that the United States “will not stand idly by while China swallows Hong Kong.”
“We express deep concern at Beijing’s imposition of the new national security law, which is eroding the Hong Kong people’s fundamental rights and liberties,” the statement read.
