HK political leaders back arrest of six over seditious publication

Political leaders on Wednesday threw their support behind the arrest of six senior or former senior staff of the Stand News for "conspiracy to publish seditious publications".

The arrests were made by police's National Security Department on Wednesday morning and the arrested, including the company's acting chief editor Patrick Lam, its former board member and Cantopop star Denise Ho and former board member barrister Margaret Ng, were suspected of violating section 9 and 10 of the Crimes Ordinance.

Lawmaker-elect and deputy chairman of The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong Holden Chow Ho-ding backed the arrests.

Chow said the arrests and the following raid of the online media's premise and residences of the suspects were made in accordance with the law.

Another lawmaker-elect Nixie Lam also in her social media page expressed her support for the police's action.

Lam said she supports law enforcement actions against organizations and those who attempted to endanger national security.

DAB, the city's largest political party, also gave its full support to police, saying their lawful enforcement actions will deter organizations and individuals who intend to harm national security.

In a statement, the party gave credit to the police for their professionalism in safeguarding national security.

However, threats against national security in the city remain, it said.

Anti-China troublemakers still attempt to advocate subversive ideas of confronting the central and HKSAR government to the public, especially the youngsters, through media, culture, arts and publications.

Among them, the party pointed out, is the Stand News, which constantly abuses freedom of the press to publish reports inciting hatred against the police, celebrating violence and smearing the launch of the "Smart Prison" at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution as putting those in custody under surveillance.

The party pledged full support to police's lawful action and firm stance in upholding national security, leaving no room for anti-China troublemakers to sabotage Hong Kong and the country.