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A vocal pro-democracy web site in Hong Kong has been shut down after police raided its workplace, froze its property and arrested senior employees.
Stand Information stated in an announcement that its web site and social media had been now not being up to date and can be taken down.
It stated all staff have been dismissed.
The outlet was probably the most outstanding pro-democracy publication in Hong Kong and certainly one of its final remaining essential voices – after the closure of the Apple Each day tabloid and the arrest of its writer, billionaire Jimmy Lai.
Lai, 73, a fierce critic of Beijing, was sentenced in April to 14 months in jail.
Within the newest crackdown, police raided Stand Information’ workplace after arresting six individuals on costs of conspiracy to publish a seditious publication.
Police didn’t determine those that had been detained.
Native media stated these arrested had been 4 former members of the Stand Information board – included pop singer Denise Ho – in addition to a former chief editor and the performing chief editor.
Evaluation: Western nations categorical ‘grave concern’ over erosion of freedoms
Greater than 200 officers had been concerned within the search. They’d a warrant to grab related journalistic supplies underneath a nationwide safety legislation enacted final yr.
Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese language rule in 1997 with the promise that a variety of particular person rights can be protected.
However authorities have cracked down on dissent, elevating considerations about press freedoms and human rights.
Police beforehand raided the places of work of the now-defunct Apple Each day newspaper, seizing containers of supplies and laptop laborious drives to help of their investigation.
Lai, who’s already jailed, was charged with sedition on Tuesday.
Officers defended the crackdown.
Li Kwai-wah, senior superintendent of the police Nationwide Safety Division, stated: “We aren’t concentrating on reporters, we aren’t concentrating on the media, we simply focused nationwide safety offenses.
“Should you solely report, I do not suppose it is a downside.”
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