Hong Kong police arrest five over 'seditious' books

Hong Kong police have arrested five individuals, including booksellers, on charges of "doing an act with seditious intention." The arrests were made after authorities intercepted a shipment of books from overseas deemed to contain seditious content. Police stated the publications incited hatred against Hong Kong's government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies.

The targeted bookstores, identified as 'Have a Nice Stay' and Greenfield Bookstore, are located in the bustling Mong Kok district. The owner of 'Have a Nice Stay' had recently announced the store's closure, citing financial losses and uncertainty over what content might be deemed problematic under the city's national security laws.

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Thought and writing should not be imprisoned because of political pressure.

These arrests underscore the continued impact of Beijing's sweeping national security legislation, imposed in 2020, on Hong Kong's once-vibrant independent bookstore scene. Many of these establishments served as crucial outlets for civil society, hosting discussions and workshops on a wide range of political and social topics.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te expressed concern over the arrests, emphasizing the importance of independent bookstores as spaces for safeguarding thought. He stated, "Thought and writing should not be imprisoned because of political pressure." Human Rights Watch researcher Yalkun Uluyol urged democratic governments to press Hong Kong authorities for the booksellers' release.

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democratic governments should press the Hong Kong authorities to free these booksellers.