#Taiwan Condemns Hong Kong Authorities' Crackdown on #StandNews

On December 29, 2021, Taiwan's three major political parties all issued statements in response to Hong Kong Police's crackdown on Stand News, expressing their concern and condemnation.

Taiwan's ruling party, the Democratic Progressive Party (#DPP), expressed "indignation and resentment" at the Hong Kong police's flagrant actions, searching media offices and arresting promoters of freedom and democracy. They consider these acts as strangling Hong Kong's freedom of expression and creating a chilling effect among media and public opinion. The DPP calls on the international community and Taiwan to continue observing Hong Kong's development.

The statement by New Power Party (#NPP) calls the actions by Hong Kong's national security police "disproportional", causing serious damage to the freedom of press, and effectively nullifies the rights laid out in the Basic Law: "Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of speech, of the press and of publication; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration; and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions, and to strike."

#Kuomintang, Taiwan's current opposition party, expressed deep concern that the authorities shut down a media company that spoke up for different public opinions and upheld principles of democracy, freedom, and human rights. They called on Chinese authorities to respect the younger generation's view of democratic values and freedom of speech. As Hong Kong had been the revolutionary headquarter of Dr Sun Yat-sen, the founding father of modern China, Hong Kong's democracy and freedom are deeply tied to the pursuit of democracy and freedom on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Citizen News; Liberty Times #Dec29
https://www.facebook.com/366243453719070/posts/1618965958446807/

https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/3784313

#Media #PoliticalOppression #PressFreedom #Arrest #Regime #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution

#Court #PoliticalProsecution
Former #StandNews editors Denied Bail; UK office Ceases Operation a Day after crackdowns by Hong Kong Authorities

In Hong Kong, two former Stand News editors #ChungPuiKuen and Patrick #LamSiuTung were denied bail by West Kowloon Court on 30 December, 2021, one day after they were arrested by Hong Kong national security police.

Former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, and former acting editor-in-chief #PatrickLam were accused of "conspiring with others to publish or reproduce seditious publications" between July 7, 2020 and December 29, 2021.

Chung was the only defendant appeared at the hearing while Lam could not attend due to health reasons. Both defendants were remanded in custody as the magistrate was not convinced that they would not carry out acts endangering national security.

Outside the magistrate court, tens of former employees of Stand News gathered to bid farewell to Chung Pui-kuen. Many of them broke into tears as they waved goodbye to Chung. Others called out words of encouragement for Chung to stay strong.

Police on the site, however, shouted at the crowd disrespectfully, ordering them to go away and leave.

Meanwhile, #YeungTinShui, head of Stand News’ office in the UK, announced on Facebook on December 30, 2021 that the office has ceased operations and he had resigned.

On December 29, 2021, the national security police arrested senior staff members and board directors of Stand News and froze the outlet's assets that worth HK$61 million. The Force raided the news outlet's newsroom and offices in Hong Kong, seized 62 computers, 27 storage devices and six boxes of documents in the operation. Stand News, a popular pro-democracy online media outlet, was forced to fold its operation and dismissed all employees on the same day.

#Media #PoliticalOppression #PressFreedom #Arrest #Regime #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution

Source: Inmediahk.net, RTHK; #Dec30
https://bit.ly/31bUO5L

====
Related News:

Stand News: Operation ceased; social media accounts will be removed
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31757

Hong Kong National Security raid pro-democracy newspaper, arrested 6 senior staff
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31751

Hong Kong Authorities' #Crackdown on Stand News
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31752

Stand News Thanks Hongkongers for Their Support Despite #PoliticalOppression
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31765

Hong Kong Police Issues Arrest warrant for Stand News founder
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31766

#Black: Hongkongers' Favourite Color in 2021

The year 2021 is a year of censorship, and silencing in Hong Kong. If one can longer use language to express, what color will one use to describe the impression of 2021?

As of 5pm on December 25, 2021, the poll held by Stand News received 25,205 responses. 54.6% of the respondents (13,788) chose the color Black.

Source: Stand News #Dec25
https://2021color.thestandnews.com

#NationalSecurityLaw #PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution #Arrest

#Arrest
Hong Kong Police arrested #GrannyWong for attending illegal assembly

Vocal pro-democracy activist, Wong Fong-yiu, (a.k.a Granny Wong), aged 65, was arrested on January 12, 2022 for attending an illegal assembly on 11 August 2019.

The case will bring to the East magistrate court on January 13 2022.

Source: suprememedia, #Jan12
https://www.facebook.com/105835728286103/posts/271791341690540/?d=n

#PoliceState

#PoliceState
Hong Kong Pro-democracy activist arrested again for posting on Facebook while on bail

#OwenChow Ka-sing, on bail pending his subversion trial, was arrested when he reported back to Police Station on January 12, 2022.

Chow was told he had violated the bail conditions for making a remark on his Facebook regarding the Legislative Council election took place in December in Hong Kong.

On December 19, 2021 (the day set for the Legislative Council election in Hong Kong), Chow shared two quotes on his Facebook page.

The first one came from #ChrisTang, the Secretary for Security which stated "there could be local lone-wolf terrorist attack on election day".

The other one was from a police hotline operator, "If you are frightened, stay home." The quote was captured on July 21, 2019 when hundreds of citizens called police station in Yuen Long for their assistance when pro-democracy protesters were brutally attacked by white-clad local gangsters.

Along with these two quotes, Chow made a small remark that read, "you told me to stay home when being frightened."

Owen Chow is among the 47 democrats being arrested in January 2021 on suspicion of conspiring to subvert state power for their involvement in a legislative council primary election.

Chow was granted bail in June 2021.

Source: Inmediahk; #Jan12
https://bit.ly/3ti1bA3

#Arrest #SocialMedia #LegCoElection #YuenLong721 #StayHome

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen urges Beijing not to misjudge the situation in New Year speech

In Taipei, President Tsai Ing-wen delivered a New Year's speech in which she reiterated her concern about the situation in Hong Kong and stressed that the military was not an option for resolving cross-strait differences, urging Beijing not to misjudge the situation.

In her 2022 New Year's speech at the presidential palace, Tsai Ing-wen set out the four main plans for her administration this year, including continuation on global engagement, maintaining the economic momentum, strengthening the social security network, and safeguarding Taiwan's sovereignty.

She said that the interference in the election of the Hong Kong Legislative Council and the arrest of media personnel had raised concerns about human rights and freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

"The pursuit of democracy and freedom is not a crime, and Taiwan's position in support of Hong Kong will not change. Aside from showing our concern, we will cherish our own hard-earned freedom and democracy even more deeply", Tsai said.

Source: Now News #Jan01

https://news.now.com/home/international/player?newsId=461848&refer=Share

#Taiwan #TsaiIngWen #LegislativeCouncil #Election #TheStandNews #Arrest #PressFreedom

[Translator note: Some wordings are following the report from Focus Taiwan, a CNA English News agency]

#Arrest #Suppression #PoliceState
Hong Kong National Police arrested social activists before a planned Winter Olympics demonstration

Source: Inmediahk, #Feb4

#KooSzeYiu #NSL #Subversion #BeijingWinterOlympics

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/32103

#Arrest #Suppression #PoliceState
Hong Kong National Police arrested social activists before a planned Winter Olympics demonstration

Veteran pro-democracy activist Koo Sze-yiu, was re-arrested today (February 4) on suspicion of inciting subversion of state power. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The 75-year-old member of the League of Social Democrats was taken into custody at his Cheung Sha Wan home shortly after 6am, and was being held at Cheung Sha Wan Police station for questioning.

Koo informed the media about his plan for the demonstration outside Beijing’s Liaison Office in the city that morning to protest China’s Winter Olympics, calling for attention to political activists behind bars.

The police also arrested four other people to assist with the investigation, local media said, although it was unclear if they had also been arrested.

He will be on trial at 9:30am at West Kowloon Magistrate Court on February 5.

Koo was jailed in January 2021 for desecrating the Chinese national flag. It was the tenth prison sentence in his last 30 years.

The veteran social activist who is suffering from the fourth stage of cancer was sent to Stanley Prison in April 2021 for 5 months.

Source: Inmediahk, #Feb4
https://bit.ly/35NQfRc

#KooSzeYiu #NSL #Subversion #BeijingWinterOlympics

#Arrest #Suppression #PoliceState
75yo activist remains in custody until April on inciting subversion charge

#KooSzeYiu #NSL #Subversion #BeijingWinterOlympics

Source: InmediaHK; #Feb6

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Arrest #Suppression #PoliceState
75yo activist remains in custody until April on inciting subversion charge

Hong Kong activist Koo Sze-yiu appeared before a national security judge in the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on February 5, the day after he was arrested for inciting subversion.

Read more on his arrest:
Hong Kong National Police arrested social activists before a planned Winter Olympics demonstration
https://t.me/BeWaterHK/61

As Koo stepped into the defendant’s dock, he tried to wave and thank his supporters in the courtroom, but was immediately stopped by court security.

Later on when the magistrate asked Koo whether he understood the charges against him, Koo shouted, “Human rights rank above the right of states, and the people are more important than the state. I am not guilty.”

He was soon interrupted by the judge and ordered to cease shouting.

Without a legal representative, Koo applied for bail on his own, and was denied. He was not required to enter a plea as the Judge adjourned the case to April 1, 2022. Koo would be remanded in custody until then.

#KooSzeYiu #NSL #Subversion #BeijingWinterOlympics

Source: InmediaHK; #Feb6
https://bit.ly/3rsxwmp

#Arrest #PoliticalOppression
An Australian-Chinese dual citizen was accused of violating National Security Law
HK authorities : No obligation to grant consular visitation to dual nationals

Source: Radio France Asia; #Feb8

#PrimaryElection #Primaries #Legcopetition #Australia #SecurityBureau #GorgonNg #NgChingHang

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Arrest #PoliticalOppression
An Australian-Chinese dual citizen was accused of violating National Security Law
HK authorities : No obligation to grant consular visitation to dual nationals

On February 8, Australian Broadcast Company (#ABC) quoted the federal government that an Australian-Chinese man was charged under the National security law (#NSL).

Although the authorities did not reveal his identity, a spokesperson at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (#DFAT) indicated that the defendant was arrested on Jan 6, 2021, for "conspiring to subvert state power".

He was released on bail the next day but was then re-arrested on March 1 when attending court, and charged with "subversion".

With reference to the date of arrest and the accusation, the man is said to be one of the #47Democrats, Gordon Ng (#吳政亨).

Yet, ABC cannot confirm whether the defendant mentioned by DFAT is Gordon Ng.

DFAT has also revealed that Australian officials have been repeatedly refused consular access to the man, because Hong Kong authorities no longer recognise dual citizenship.

"The Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong was notified by Hong Kong authorities of the arrest of a dual Australian-Chinese citizen under its National Security Law in January 2021," a DFAT spokesperson said.

The report continued that the Hong Kong Security Bureau declined to provide any further details about the prosecution, saying that it could not comment on individual cases; and that the Hong Kong government was not obliged to grant consular visitation rights to dual nationals.

ps. Gordon Ng is the founder of Legcopetition, a voluntary group for primaries. He is also known as "#Liberal (#李伯盧)" on social media platforms.

#PrimaryElection #Primaries #Legcopetition #Australia #SecurityBureau #GorgonNg #NgChingHang

Source: Radio France Asia; #Feb8
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/htm/hk-aus-02082022055359.html

#Arrest #Sedition
Singer activist Tommy Yuen arrested under National Security Law

Sources: Inmediahk, Luminant, RTHK; #Feb15

#TommyYuen #NSL #MoneyLaundering

#Arrest #Sedition
Singer activist Tommy Yuen arrested under National Security Law

Tommy Yuen Man-on was arrested in the morning of February 15 by the Hong Kong national security on suspicion of sedition and money laundering.

In a press briefing, the police said the 41-year-old singer was arrested over content he published on social media since last September that incites hatred towards the government, the police and judges.

The Senior superintendent of the force’s national security unit, also accused the singer of smearing the government’s Covid policies, and singing a song that contains a banned protest slogan during an online concert.

Yuen, a former member of boyband E-kids, has been an activist supporting the pro-democracy camp over the past few years and at the height of the 2019 social unrest.

He had actively participated in the city's political events, including the Human Rights Day Rally on December 8, 2019, where he led the protest march.

Sources: Inmediahk, Luminant, RTHK; #Feb15
https://bit.ly/3sNZqZQ

#TommyYuen #NSL #MoneyLaundering

Two Covid-positive men arrested in Hong Kong for ‘inciting others’ to spread virus on social media

In Hong Kong, two men have been arrested after they allegedly use social media to incite others to spread the Covid-19 virus.

Screenshots shown by the police at the briefing indicated that the 22-year-old allegedly posted a photo of a positive rapid antigen test result to Facebook, along with a caption asking for recommendations of pro-government eateries in Yuen Long.

Other excerpts taken from the popular LIHKG forum showed the user making claims that “there would be a major outbreak in Hong Kong and in the mainland.” The content was partially censored during the police briefing.

The police used the government-developed #LeaveHomeSafe mobile application to track the past location of the men.

Source: Inmediahk; #Mar15
https://bit.ly/3tZOj0o

#Covid19 #WuhanPneumonia #Pandemic #Arrest

Hong Kong #NationalSecurityPolice arrest 6 under sedition law over ‘causing nuisance’ during court hearings

//Six people have been arrested by Hong Kong national security police under the colonial-era sedition law on suspicion of causing nuisance during hearings at various courts.

Sources told local media that the six people arrested included the former vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU) Leo Tang, who was reportedly brought in by police for questioning last week alongside three ex-leaders of the coalition.//

Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/04/06/hong-kong-national-security-police-arrest-6-under-sedition-law-over-causing-nuisance-during-court-hearings/

Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Apr6

#NSL #CTU #Arrest #PoliceState

#Arrest #StandNews
Hong Kong journalist Allan Au arrested by national security police

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #Sedition #Crackdown

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr11

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#Arrest #StandNews
Hong Kong journalist Allan Au arrested by national security police

Hong Kong veteran journalist #AllanAu was arrested by national security police in the morning of April 11 for allegedly conspiring to publish seditious materials, under the colonial-era anti-sedition legislation.

Linked to the Stand News case, Au is the 8th member being arrested following 7 others in December 2021.

Hong Kong National Security raid pro-democracy newspaper, arrested 6 senior staff
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31751

Hong Kong Authorities' #Crackdown on Stand News
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31752

Hong Kong Police Issues Arrest warrant for Stand News founder
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/31766

The 54-year-old journalist was previously a columnist for outlets including Stand News and Ming Pao. Au was taken away from his home in Lai Chi Kok by the National Security police to the police station in Kwai Chung.

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #Crackdown #Sedition

Source: Inmediahk, HKFP; #Apr11

https://bit.ly/3E1djc5