Editorial Writer of Apple Daily Attempting to Leave Hong Kong Arrested at Airport (Comprehensive)

"Allegations of Violating the Hong Kong National Security Law"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] A columnist of Apple Daily who was about to leave Hong Kong was arrested at the airport.

On the 27th, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong cited an anonymous source, reporting, "57-year-old Fung Wai-kong was arrested at around 10 p.m. at Hong Kong International Airport on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law."

Fung was about to board a flight to the United Kingdom at the time. This is the seventh arrest of an Apple Daily affiliate in the past two weeks on charges of violating the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Fung, who has served as a columnist for Apple Daily since 1997, also served as the editor-in-chief of Apple Daily's online English edition, which started last year. He has been active as a columnist for other pro-democracy online media such as China Review News.

Currently, the Hong Kong police are detaining Fung and conducting an investigation. The source revealed, "Fung has previously been investigated on suspicion of colluding with foreign forces."

Apple Daily, which gained prominence during the 'Umbrella Movement' demanding direct election of the Chief Executive and protests against the extradition bill, became a primary target of authorities after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law. After over a year of pressure from the authorities, it finally ceased publication on the 24th.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association condemned the arrest in a statement, saying, "Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are core values of Hong Kong," and added, "If even intellectuals' writing is not tolerated, it will be difficult for Hong Kong to maintain its reputation as an international city."

They continued, "The police ignore public opinion and the voices of the press, arresting journalists under the pretext of the National Security Law while claiming it has nothing to do with press freedom," and questioned, "How can (the government's arrest of journalists) have nothing to do with press freedom?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.