Hong Kong authorities have announced that for the first time, they have invoked Article 88 of the National Security Law to detain a septuagenarian Hong Kong man for investigation. It is understood that the arrested man is former Civil Human Rights Front deputy convener Wong On-yin.
According to comprehensive reports from Hong Kong's "Sing Tao Daily" and the online media "Hong Kong 01,"李桂华, Senior Superintendent of the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force, revealed to the media on Saturday (December 6) that on December 2, the police invited a 71-year-old Hong Kong man to the Mong Kok Police Station to assist in the investigation of a case endangering national security. The next day, he publicized related content on social media, but police had earlier solemnly reminded him that the content of the meeting must be kept confidential. They believe his related actions constitute illegal disclosure, amounting to tipping off others.
李桂华 stated that the above-mentioned man also disseminated a large amount of materials and videos on social media after the Tai Po fire, inciting the public to hate the Hong Kong and Central governments.
It is understood the arrested man is former Civil Human Rights Front deputy convener and current affairs commentator Wong On-yin (real name Wong Kok-on). He previously worked for Apple Daily for many years and participated in many demonstrations, including "Occupy Central" and anti-high speed rail protests, having a strong anti-government and anti-China background. Recently, after meeting with the National Security Department for investigation, he immediately uploaded a nearly hour-long video clip to his personal YouTube account disclosing the process and contents of the meeting.
It is understood the arrested man is former Civil Human Rights Front deputy convener and current affairs commentator Wong On-yin (real name Wong Kok-on). He previously worked for Apple Daily for many years and participated in many demonstrations, including "Occupy Central" and anti-high speed rail protests, having a strong anti-government and anti-China background. Recently, after meeting with the National Security Department for investigation, he immediately uploaded a nearly hour-long video clip to his personal YouTube account disclosing the process and contents of the meeting.
Reportedly, after the fire at Hong Fu Court in Tai Po on November 26, Wong On-yin published a large amount of content with seditious intent on social media, including falsely accusing the Central and Hong Kong SAR governments of being the "instigators of using disaster to create chaos in Hong Kong," and saying that the central government's support for Hong Kong's disaster relief was merely "acting," attempting to incite anti-government sentiment and social hatred.
According to the Hong Kong Government Gazette, the National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police Force took enforcement action in Sheung Shui district on Saturday, arresting a 71-year-old local man on suspicion of violating Article 88 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance — "Obstructing Investigation into Offenses Endangering National Security" — and Article 24 — "Acts with Seditious Intent Done with Seditious Intent."
The investigation showed that the arrested man was suspected of disclosing online the content of an earlier investigation by National Security Department officers into offenses endangering national security, and was also suspected of posting multiple videos online inciting others to hate the central government, the Hong Kong SAR government, and the judiciary. He is currently being detained for investigation.
According to evidence and the actual situation, the police have invoked Article 88 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance for the first time. Offenders can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison upon conviction. "Acts with Seditious Intent Done with Seditious Intent" is also a serious crime, with a first conviction also carrying a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment.