Police gather outside the offices of Stand News in Hong Kong on Dec 29, 2021, during a police raid of the local media outlet after arresting six current and former staff. (DANIEL SUEN / AFP)
Former Stand News editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting chief editor Patrick Lam will appear in West Kowloon Magistrate Court on Thursday afternoon for conspiracy to publish seditious material.
Chung and Lam were among the seven arrested on Wednesday for contravening section 9 and 10 of the Crimes Ordinance.
Steve Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the National Security Department of the HK police, said Stand News is suspected of publishing seditious material from July 2020 through November 2021
Apart from the duo, four more former staff members of Stand News, including former board members barrister Margaret Ng and Cantopop star Denise Ho, were arrested by the National Security Department. The remaining one was Chung's wife, former associate publisher and deputy chief editor of Apple Daily Chan Pui-man – a former contributor to the outlet.
The other arrestees are being detained for further inquiry.
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In a statement on Thursday, the police said its National Security Department also issued prosecution documents to the company, prosecuting the company for conspiracy to publish seditious material and requesting them to appoint representatives to attend court on Thursday afternoon.
Steve Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the National Security Department of the HK police, said Stand News is suspected of publishing seditious material from July 2020 through November 2021. The media attempted to stoke contempt and hatred against the Hong Kong government and the administration of justice, incite dissatisfaction and violence among Hong Kong residents and instigate others to break the law.
Police on Wednesday raided the company's premises and froze a total of HK$61 million in assets.
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The media company on Wednesday announced it would disband immediately with its employees dismissed. The media company had subsequently removed content from its website and social media pages.