Hong Kong- Media tycoon Jimmy Lai was arrested over suspected collusion with foreign forces under the new national security law in a wide-ranging police operation. It is said to be he is the highest-profile arrest yet under the legislation.
Lai is 71, he has been one of the most important democracy activists in the Chinese-ruled city and an ardent critic of Beijing.
Now, his arrest marks one of the prominent arrest in Beijing’s crackdown against pro-democracy opposition in the city.
It “bears out the worst fears that Hong Kong’s National Security Law would be used to suppress critical pro-democracy opinion and restrict press freedom,” said Steven Butler, the Committee to Protect Journalists’ Asia programme coordinator.
“Jimmy Lai should be released at once and any charges dropped.”
Notably, the new security law punishes anything China considers subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.
Meanwhile critics say it violates freedoms in the semi-autonomous city, while supporters says it will bring stability after prolonged pro-democracy protests last year.
“Jimmy Lai is being arrested for collusion with foreign powers at this time,” Mark Simon, a senior executive at Lai’s media company Next Digital, which publishes local tabloid Apple Daily, said early on Monday.
Hong Kong police said they havw arrested seven people on breaching the city’s new national security law, citing offences including collusion with foreign powers.
Police said the operation was ongoing and further arrests were possible.
According to public broadcaster RTHK, those arrested include several top executives at Apple Daily — potentially a major blow to the newspaper’s operations in the city.
Lai’s arrest also comes as tensions between the United State and China over the national security law continue to escalate. Washington imposed sanctions Friday against Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam and 10 other Chinese and Hong Kong officials for undermining the city’s autonomy.