Hong Kong government deregisters 3 Apple Daily subsidiaries, lists them as ‘prohibited organisations’
The Hong Kong government has begun the process of deregistering three companies linked to Apple Daily and listing them as “prohibited organizations,” authorities said.
The move comes after media mogul Jimmy Lai, the newspaper’s founder, resigned Imprisonment for 20 years In a high-profile national security case.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Security Minister Chris Tang issued notices to three companies – Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited and AD Internet Limited – informing them of the cancellation of registration.
The three companies were already bankrupt He was tried and convicted alongside LaiThey were each fined HK$3,004,500.
Companies can submit written protests to the government by February 25.
The statement added that once the companies are deregistered, they will become “prohibited organizations.”
Anyone working for or providing any assistance to a banned organization will be liable on conviction to a fine of up to HK$1 million and imprisonment for 14 years, the government said, citing Article 23. Local national security law for the city,
The statement added, “Protecting national security is a matter of fundamental importance. Endangering national security is a very serious crime. Such actions or activities may lead to very serious consequences.”
Apple Daily was shut down in June 2021 after police raided its headquarters and arrested senior employees. It has been in operation since 1995.
The conviction and sentencing of the media mogul, his companies, and newsroom employees sparked criticism among international organizations. After the ruling was issued, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced the 20-year prison sentence It was handed over to Lai, demanding that the sentence be “immediately annulled.”
Meanwhile, the government and lawmakers praised the prison sentence. After the ruling, CEO John Lee “He deserves his punishment,” Lai said. He “committed many heinous crimes and his evil deeds were beyond measure.”
