5 of 7 people arrested in first sedition case under Hong Kong’s new domestic national security law released on bail
- Suspects out on bail as China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong hits back at the United States and European Union over their ‘irresponsible comments’ on the arrests
- US and EU called arrests under city’s new security law ‘a contemptible violation of human rights’, which China rebukes as interfering with authorities’ proper administration of justice
The development came as China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong hit back at the United States and European Union over their “irresponsible comments” on the arrest this week of the seven suspects, who included activist Chow Hang-tung. She is currently on remand at Tai Lam Centre for Women for a separate offence.
The Hong Kong government on Thursday evening also released a similar statement, saying it “strongly disapproved of and condemned all baseless allegations” by the US and the EU.
The seven people were arrested on Tuesday and Wednesday for sedition over content they allegedly published on the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
Police said on Thursday that five of the arrestees have been granted bail. It was understood that one, arrested a day after the others, remained under investigation.
Chow is a former chairwoman for the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which previously organised June 4 vigils at Victoria Park to mark the crackdown.
The home-grown national security law enacted in March allows authorities to extend the detention of suspects by up to 14 days, on top of the present 48 hours.
The Commissioner’s Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong on Thursday issued a strongly worded statement accusing the Congressional-Executive Commission on China under the US Congress and the European Union of interfering in the city’s affairs.
It said the US and EU had “attacked and smeared” the human rights and freedom of expression in Hong Kong, “criticised” the city’s national security laws and “interfered” with the proper administration of justice by the government.
“[The office] expresses strong disapproval and resolute opposition,” it added, referring to the US and European stances.
The US commission on Thursday wrote on its social media page that the arrests were “a contemptible violation of human rights and an attempt to stifle speech” ahead of the anniversary of the June 4, 1989, Tiananmen Square crackdown.
A European Union spokesman earlier said the arrests “seem to confirm” concerns about the new national security law and its effect on Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms.
The spokesman said the arrests suggested that “the new law is used to stifle freedom of expression” in the city, urging the authorities to “protect the ability of the people of Hong Kong to exercise their rights and freedoms”.
The arrests are the first under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance enacted two months ago, with security chief Chris Tang Ping-keung saying the cases focused on allegedly seditious content posted on a Facebook group called “ChowHangTungClub” since April.
The commissioner’s office said Chow had long been “opposing China at every turn” and “jeopardising” national security, and “had not stopped” even after being detained.
“Chow and the others continuously published posts with seditious intent on social media, attempting to provoke citizens’ hatred against the central government and the Special Administrative Region government, and inciting internet users to organise or participate in unlawful activities,” it added.
“Some foreign forces have been acting ignorant and supporting anti-China disrupters. They have been interfering in Hong Kong’s affairs and China’s internal affairs, which seriously violated principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations.”
The Hong Kong government said in its statement authorities had been taking law enforcement actions based on evidence and they “have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation”.
“Offences in connection with seditious intention are very serious crimes, and no jurisdictions, including the US and those from the EU, will watch with folded arms acts and activities that endanger national security,” it added.
