[Concurrent] Li Jiachao, Secretary for Security, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Anyone or company that attempts to use journalism as an umbrella or cover to commit crimes endangering national security will surely be cracked down by the SAR government with the most severe measures in accordance with the law.
[Explanation] On the morning of June 17, the National Security Division of the Hong Kong Police Force arrested Zhang Jianhong, Chief Executive Officer of Next Media, and Zhou Daquan, Chief Operating Officer, on suspicion of violating Article 29 of the Hong Kong National Security Law "conspiracy to collude with foreign or foreign forces to endanger national security." Five people including Luo Weiguang, editor-in-chief of Apple Daily, Chen Peimin, vice president, and Zhang Zhiwei, platform director of Apple News.
Li Jiachao, director of the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, briefed the case when meeting with the media that day.
[Concurrent] Li Jiachao, Secretary for Security, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
The National Security Division of the Police Department took action today to arrest five people on suspicion of "conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security."
The arrested persons are suspected of conspiring to collude with foreign forces by publishing dozens of articles in the "Apple Daily", calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions or hostile actions on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the People's Republic of China. They also reported on the Internet to endanger national security.
The five persons arrested included the directors and persons in charge of three companies related to the publishing business and online business of Apple Daily, namely the directors of Apple Daily Co., Ltd., Apple Daily Printing Co., Ltd., and Apple Internet Co., Ltd., all of whom were in charge of operations. Important role.
[Explanation] Li Jiachao pointed out that the police searched multiple locations, including the Next Media Building, in accordance with court warrants. The search warrant empowered the police to search for evidence related to the case, regardless of whether they were news materials.
He said that he has issued the Secretary for Security's notice of freezing property, freezing the crime-related property of the three companies involved in the case, about 18 million Hong Kong dollars.
[Concurrent] Li Jiachao, Secretary for Security, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
The property frozen this time is related to crimes endangering national security, and is the property of suspected criminals.
Freezing the property of suspected criminals is an internationally recognized practice. The purpose includes preventing criminals from gaining benefits and preventing criminals from using their property to commit crimes or continue to do harm.
This "dark money" is different from the legal property of the public and law-abiding citizens.
[Explanation] Li Jiachao said that the current police investigation is actively being conducted and will investigate whether anyone, including people inside or outside the company, has participated in, assisted, abetted or financed crimes that endanger national security.
He emphasized that national security is a top priority, and crimes that endanger national security are extremely serious crimes, and some crimes can be sentenced to life imprisonment.
[Concurrent] Li Jiachao, Secretary for Security, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
I hope that the police will collect more evidence and pursue all those who participated in, assisted, abetted or funded these crimes against national security.
The action this time has nothing to do with normal journalistic work. The action is aimed at suspected use of journalistic work as a tool to commit acts that endanger national security.
General journalists are different from them. Don't get involved with them, but keep a distance from them.
I solemnly declare here that we must not associate with criminals who endanger national security. We will pay a heavy price to join these criminals. We should cut ourselves off from criminals so as not to regret it.
Reporter Fan Siyi and Liang Yuan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Li Yuxin]