May 30, 2024
HONG KONG – The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force on Wednesday arrested a 53-year-old woman for allegedly publishing seditious content online, marking the seventh arrest made under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
The arrest on Hong Kong Island follows Tuesday’s police operation in which six people were arrested for committing “Offences in Connection with Seditious Intention”, contravening Section 24 of the ordinance.
Investigations revealed that the woman, remanded in custody, had exploited an upcoming sensitive date to repeatedly publish posts with seditious intention on a social platform anonymously with the assistance of at least six arrestees since April 2024, the government said in a notification.
Apart from provoking hatred towards the central authorities, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government and the Judiciary, the content of the posts also incited netizens to organize or participate in illegal activities, according to the government.
The arrestees are being detained for further enquiries, except for the one who is being held in custody.
The enforcement action is still on-going and police did not rule out the possibility of further arrests.
Police warned the members of public that offences in connection with seditious intention are very serious crimes, with a maximum penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment.