HONG KONG (HONG KONG) – Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested under a new national security law on Monday, Police searched the offices of his Apple Daily newspaper.
Lai, 71, has been a critic of Beijing, which implemented the sweeping new law on Hong Kong on June 30.
His arrest comes after concerns arose about media and other freedoms promised to the former British colony.
Lai had often visited Washington, where he has met senior officials, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to gather support for Hong Kong democracy.
According to Hong Kong police, seven people were arrested suspecting a breach of the new national security law.
Police said further arrests were possible.
Apple Daily posted on its Facebook page a livestream of police officers entering its premises deriving details of those who worked there. The paper reported that one of Lai’s sons, Ian, was also arrested at his home.
An Apple Daily source said, “We are arranging lawyers and so on to defend ourselves. We see this as straight harassment.” Lai was arrested citing grounds of suspicion of sedition, criminal fraud and colluding with foreign forces.
Beijing and the Hong Kong government have said the rights and freedoms will not be affected by the law, and only a small minority of “troublemakers” will be targetted.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.