Apple Daily officials respond to national security case in HK | court Opposition News in Hong Kong

Two newspaper executives have been accused of collaborating with foreign countries, and warning of media freedom in the financial sector.

A crowd gathered outside a Hong Kong court early on Saturday as two editors of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily were indicted on the city’s security rules, in a case that has condemned international law.

Editor-in-Chief Ryan Law, 47, and Chief Executive Cheung Kim-hung, 59, was one of five Apple Daily executives arrested Thursday when 500 police entered a press room, which officials describe as a “crime zone”.

The pair arrived at the police car before hearing.

Both are accused of colluding with foreign powers, and threatening the freedom of journalists in the economic sphere as authorities step up their efforts to overthrow the law.

Three others, Chief Operating Officer Chow Tat-kuen, Deputy Chief Editor Chan Puiman and Chief Executive Editor Cheung Chi-wai, were released on bail Friday, according to Apple Daily.

“I have already left Apple Daily for personal and security reasons,” said Chan, 37, a former Apple Daily reporter.

“I believe the two defendants can think for themselves. They also have families. I’ve worked with them before. We are like friends. ”

‘Do not be afraid, fight.’

The National Security Law enacted by Beijing in 2020 in the former British colony has brought legal recognition to many aspects of life in Hong Kong, including education and art.

It condemns what Beijing calls isolation, rebellion, terrorism, and alliances with foreign groups for life.

Police say many newspaper articles are suspected of violating the country’s security law – the first time journalists have been cited as being able to challenge the law.

People gathered early Saturday morning outside West Kowloon courts, some carrying yellow umbrellas or wearing Apple Daily shirts saying, “Don’t be afraid, fight.”

.@alirezatalischioriginal CEO Chung Kim-hung and Editor-in-Chief of Ryan Law appeared in court and escorted police. Both are charged # NSL A conspiracy to join external groups.

Assistant Publisher Chan Pui-man, arrested on the same charge, as the first to be present on a court hearing. pic.twitter.com/TEpIXU074r

– Galileo Cheng (@galileocheng) June 19, 2021

“In the meantime, you could be charged by the NSL for words or phrases you did not like. It’s a big downside, “Lo, 29, a well-known paper reader, 26, said.

The arrests and protests of Apple Daily have been criticized by Western nations, international human rights groups, media organizations and the UN’s top human rights spokesman.

Apple Daily and the publisher named Next Digital have been under a lot of pressure since their owner, anti-democratic and anti-Beijing activist Jimmy Lai, was arrested last year in accordance with the law.

Lai, whose property has been withheld under security law, is already in jail for taking part in illegal activities and awaiting trial on a national security basis.

As Apple Daily’s investigation with senior executives continues, some of its colleagues and observers have expressed serious concern about the newspaper’s future.

Since the law was introduced by Beijing in June last year, more than 100 people have been arrested, with many refusing to return.