Hong Kong police arrested democratic media tycoon - suspected of violating national security law

 Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

香港警察、民主派メディアの大物を逮捕　国安法違反の疑い

2020.08.10 Mon posted at 17:32 JST

 香港（ＣＮＮ Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ） 香港警察は１０日までに、香港メディア界の大物で、民主派運動の支援と中国批判で知られる黎智英（ジミー・ライ）氏について、外国勢力と「共謀」した疑いで逮捕したことを明らかにした。

「外国勢力との共謀」の罪は、中国政府が先月導入した国家安全維持法（国安法）で新設されたもの。黎氏と共同で事業運営に当たるマーク・サイモン氏によると、逮捕の日時は１０日の早い時間帯だった。

警察は声明で、３９～７２歳の男７人を逮捕したと説明。逮捕容疑については、外国勢力と共謀して国家安全保障を危険にさらした疑い、および詐欺を共謀した疑いとした。

声明では個人を名指ししなかったものの、報道官はＣＮＮの取材に対し、黎氏が共謀の疑いで逮捕されたことを確認した。声明は「捜査は継続中で、さらなる逮捕者が出る可能性も排除できない」としている。

公共放送の香港電台（ＲＴＨＫ）によると、逮捕者には香港紙・蘋果日報（アップル・デイリー）の幹部数人が含まれる。同紙の香港事業は大きな打撃を受ける可能性がある。

蘋果日報が１０日午前にフェイスブック上でライブ配信した動画には、警察が編集室を捜索する様子が映っている。警察報道官はＣＮＮに対し、同社のオフィスに立ち入る目的で捜索令状を取得したことを明らかにした。

国安法上、外国勢力との共謀には最高で終身刑が適用される。黎氏は米政権と太いパイプを持ち、中国に対しより強い姿勢を取るように働きかけてきた。同法の成立以降に黎氏がどのような違反行為に及んだのかは不明。

Translation

2020.08.10 Mon posted at 17:32 JST

Hong Kong (CNN Business) - It was revealed that the Hong Kong police on the 10th had arrested Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media giant who was known for supporting the democratic movement and criticizing China, on suspicion of "collusion" with foreign powers.

The crime of "collusion with foreign powers" was newly brought in under the National Security Maintenance Law (National Security Law) introduced by the Chinese government last month. According to Simon Mak, who operated the business jointly with Lai, the date of the arrest was in the early hours on the 10th.

Police said in a statement that they had arrested seven men aged 39 to 72. Regarding the charges of arrest, they allegedly had conspired with foreign powers to endanger national security, and conspired to commit fraud.

Although the statement did not name the individual, a spokesman confirmed to CNN that Mr. Lai was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy. The statement said, "The investigation is ongoing and the possibility of additional arrests cannot be ruled out."

According to a public broadcaster the Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), the arrests included several executives of Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily. The paper's Hong Kong business could be hit hard.

The Apple Daily in a video of live broadcast on Facebook in the morning of the 10^th showed that the police were searching the editing room. A police spokesman told CNN to make clear that they had obtained a search warrant to enter the company's office.

Under the National Security Law, maximum life imprisonment applied to collusion with foreign powers. Mr. Lai, who had numerous connections with the US administration, had urged a stronger stance towards China. It was unknown what kind of violation Mr. Lai had made since the enactment of the law.

              So, the arrest of Mr. Lai would be a show case on how the new National Security Law will be enforced in Hong Kong.