China News Service, Hong Kong, May 17 (Reporter Wang Jiacheng) Hong Kong Next Media Group announced the suspension of trading on the 17th before the market opened, pending the announcement of the Hong Kong Security Bureau's announcement on freezing the assets and company equity held by the controlling shareholder Li Zhiying.
The Security Bureau issued a notice on the 14th stating that the National Security Service of the Hong Kong Police Force sued Li Zhiying on December 11, 2020 for "collaborating with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security", and on April 16, 2021, Li Zhiying will be charged with two items. The crimes include "conspiracy to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security" and "conspiracy to commit acts with intent to obstruct justice."
According to the Security Bureau, it has issued a written notice to freeze property in accordance with the implementation rules of the Hong Kong National Security Law, freezing the shares of Next Media held by Li Zhiying and the property in the local bank accounts of the three companies owned by it.
In addition, Taiwan’s "Apple Daily" announced on the afternoon of Friday (14th) that it had decided to suspend paper publications from the 18th of this month, with the 17th being the last issue.
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