According to Reuters news from Hong Kong on June 22, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that the police’s enforcement action against the “Apple Daily” had sufficient evidence to collect and was not a blow to freedom of the press; she also responded to the comments of the US government. It means that actions that endanger national security cannot be “beautified”.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said when she met with the media before attending the executive meeting that the police force must have done sufficient evidence collection. The final prosecution decision was made by the Department of Justice without interference from the Chief Executive, and whether guilty was handed over to the court for trial.
“Hong Kong’s National Security Law must be strictly enforced, and it must not be made in vain.” She added.
She emphasized that the law enforcement action this time has nothing to do with normal journalistic work. The authorities dealt with a matter of not a news organization, nor a matter of news reporting, but a suspected act that endangers national security.
“In other words, the person in charge of a news organization cannot use the news organization as a protective cover without complying with the law. Every step is to act in accordance with the law.”
A spokesperson for the US State Department previously told reporters that the United States is highly concerned about the selective enforcement of the Hong Kong authorities through the National Security Law, and the charges cited were politically motivated.
The National Security Service of the Hong Kong Police Force last Thursday arrested five senior officials of Next Media and Apple Daily, including editors and editors, on charges of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces; and frozen some assets of related companies of the newspaper, involving approximately 18 million Hong Kong dollars. .
Next Media’s board of directors formally sent a letter on Monday requesting the Security Bureau to unfreeze some assets before this Friday in order to pay about 800 employees. If it does not get the approval of the authorities, the 26-year-old Apple Daily may be suspended. The board of directors will meet on Friday. Decided.
Carrie Lam said that asset freezing is an international practice to prevent actions that further endanger national security. As for Apple Daily’s application to unfreeze assets, the Security Bureau handles it. If labor disputes arise, the government will provide appropriate assistance to employees in accordance with the law.
(Editor in charge: Lu Qing)