Hong Kong journalist arrested under 2024 security law

Hong Kong police said they arrested two people on suspicion of seditious acts under the city’s 2024 national security law. Local media outlet Sing Tao reported that one was Tang Ho-wing, founder of online news outlet Boom News. Police did not name the suspects; the South China Morning Post identified the second as activist Lee Ying-chi.

Authorities linked the arrests to an August 31 gathering commemorating the Prince Edward station clash. Police alleged that people at the gathering carried flowers, chanted banned slogans and spread disinformation intended to incite hatred towards the government and police.

Boom News had posted a video featuring a woman’s account of the 2019 clash. Police said rumours that people died during the incident were baseless. These claims and the allegations against those arrested have not been established as findings of guilt.

Six other people arrested in connection with the same offence were later released on bail. Press freedom groups voiced concern over Tang’s arrest.

Hong Kong journalists face restrictions under Beijing’s 2020 national security law and a local statute enacted in 2024. In February, Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while several former staff received sentences ranging from nearly seven to 10 years.