Hong Kong police raid 2 independent bookstores, 5 arrested for selling seditious publications

Hong Kong police on July 15 raided two independent bookstores, arresting five individuals on suspicion of displaying and selling materials deemed to have "seditious intent." The operation, carried out by the National Security Department, targeted books mailed from overseas.

Officers were seen escorting a handcuffed woman from "The House of Pages" (Lau Siu-fung), a bookstore that had announced its closure in August due to difficult economic conditions in Hong Kong. Police seized multiple boxes of books and other items from the premises. The other bookstore targeted was reportedly "Farming Book House" (Tin Yuen Book House).

This latest crackdown is part of a broader intensification of national security measures in Hong Kong. Following the 2019 anti-government protests, Beijing imposed the National Security Law in 2020, and the city further enacted legislation known as Article 23 in 2024. These laws carry severe penalties, with offenses related to sedition potentially leading to up to seven years in prison.

Authorities stated that the investigation was prompted by a tip-off regarding seditious publications among books sent from abroad. The suspects are accused of organizing rituals under the influence of psychotropic substances, leading to psychological manipulation of participants. The investigation has uncovered significant financial transactions, with over 120,000 euros passing through the suspects' accounts in three years. Assets seized include luxury vehicles, cash, jewelry, and bank funds.

While the accused deny the charges, an investigation has been opened for drug trafficking, fraudulent abuse of psychological or physical dependency, illegal medical practice, administering harmful substances to vulnerable persons, and money laundering. The suspects were previously unknown to police.