Police refused to reveal the number of sedition arrests over comments about the deadly Tai Po fire
Police have refused to reveal how many people have been arrested on sedition charges in connection with the deadly Tai Po fire in November.
Three people have been charged under Section 23, Hong Kong’s local national security law, over comments related to the Wang Fook Court fire, Andrew Kan, deputy police commissioner for national security, said on Wednesday.
He made the comments at a press conference announcing police operations for 2025.
The three are among an unspecified number of people arrested for “committing acts with seditious intent” under the National Security Protection Act, also known as Article 23, in the wake of the deadly fire. Which killed 168 people.
Kan added that he was unable to reveal arrest numbers because the cases are still under investigation.
Cases of sedition
Speaking at the same press conference, Police Commissioner Joe Chow urged residents to be wary of people seeking to take advantage of “certain issues” to engage in inflammatory actions.
“They often exploit certain issues, hoping to make ordinary people hate the police, the Hong Kong government and even the central government when they do not fully understand the situation,” he said in Cantonese.
Zhao said one of the suspects was charged with spreading seditious material and intentionally revealing details of a national security investigation. He added that he posted inflammatory videos on social media and revealed details of an interview with the National Security Agency.
He appeared to be referring to Wong Quoc Ngon, a political commentator who is scheduled to appear in court on February 23. The incitement charge against him relates to videos posted on YouTube last year, including videos. on Wang Fook Court fire.
It is unclear who the other two people were tried. They have been charged with intentionally spreading seditious material and are scheduled to appear in court on February 27 and March 4.
Days after the Wang Fook Court fire, university student Miles Kwan was reportedly arrested on charges of “seditious intent” after he distributed leaflets calling for an independent investigation. It is unclear whether charges have been brought against him.
During the press conference, police were also asked how groups have cited force majeure, or irresistible force, with increasing frequency in recent years as emergency situations increase. Reason for canceling events.
Last year, groups of Hong Kong Journalists Association To the student bodies in Universities They said they had to cancel their planned activities due to force majeure.
Kahn said the use of the term, which is understood as a euphemism for political pressure or censorship, amounts to “discrediting” the police.
“When we were dealing with national security issues or when some bodies announced their dissolution, they used the term… ‘force majeure,’ but force majeure can include several different reasons, including financial resources and resources, or if they are afraid of breaking the law,” he said.
“Using this term appears to place the onus on the police, which I believe is unfair and distorts the operations of the police force,” Kahn added.
