Hong Kong’s national security police apprehended four individuals on Wednesday, accusing them of supporting dissidents abroad and advocating for independence from China. This action followed the recent issuance of warrants and bounties against several foreign-based activists.
According to a statement by the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police, the four men were suspected of receiving funds from operating companies, social platforms, and mobile applications. These funds allegedly supported individuals who had fled overseas and continued engaging in activities deemed threatening to national security.
While the statement did not explicitly link the arrests to the eight warrants issued earlier for prominent dissidents based outside of Hong Kong, local media reports, citing unnamed sources, indicated a connection between the arrested individuals and an online platform known as “Punish Mee.” This platform allegedly provided financial aid to the wanted overseas activists.
The police statement cited suspicions of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, acts with seditious intent, and violations of the National Security Law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing in 2020 following pro-democracy protests. The arrested individuals were also accused of repeatedly posting content with seditious intentions on social media platforms, inciting hatred towards the Central Authorities (China) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, and advocating for “Hong Kong independence.”
The statement did not disclose the names of the detainees.
