Photo taken on May 5, 2020 shows Jimmy Lai Chee-ying appearing in court on unauthorized assembly charge in Hong Kong, China. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

 
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) revealed more details late Monday night around the latest arrests of local secessionist leaders, including major figures Jimmy Lai and Agnes Chow, for their violation of the national security law for Hong Kong, indicating how they colluded with foreign forces to bring sanctions against the city. 

At least 10 people were arrested on Monday on suspicion of breaching the national security law for Hong Kong, including Lai, founder of Apple Daily, and some senior executives from the media organization. After investigations, the HKPF found a group in charge of propaganda was calling for foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and even block off the city, according to a briefing by senior superintendent Li Kwai-wah of the national security department of the police on Monday night. 

Two men and one woman were in charge of the group’s operations, and a group of people used overseas bank accounts of Apple Daily’s executives to financially support this group, Li said. Even after the enactment of the national security law for Hong Kong, the operation still continued, and as a result, five men and one woman were arrested. 

Along with Lai's arrest, at least nine other people have also been arrested on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security as of 10:30 pm on Monday, while more arrests might be made, the police said. 

Two of Lai’s sons were detained in addition to four senior executives of Next Digital, the parent company Apple Daily, including an executive chairman and a chairman in charge of the outlet's operations and finances.

Police also arrested local secessionist Agnes Chow for allegedly violating the national security law for Hong Kong, and local media reported that this arrest was also related to Lai’s case. 

About 200 police officers on Monday arrived at the headquarters of Next Digital, and searched for hours while taking away materials for further investigation. 

Some legal experts pointed out that such a large-scale operation shows that Hong Kong law enforcement authorities have obtained sufficient evidence to bring charges. 

Li also told the briefing that the police had received some complaints about how Apple Daily allegedly engaged in collusion and fraud by using warehouses at low prices. 

The national security law for Hong Kong, which took effect on June 30, punishes four types of acts, including collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security. 

Global Times