Journalist and activist detained in Hong Kong on suspicion of incitement — ABC News Australia

Hong Kong police have detained two people, including a journalist, on suspicion of committing acts with seditious intent. Local media identified those detained as independent journalist Tang Ho-wing and activist Lee Ying-chi. As ABC News Australia reports, police officially disclosed only the suspects’ ages: a 37-year-old man and a 58-year-old woman.

Case linked to an incident near a metro station

According to police, the detentions are part of a series of operations connected to an incident on August 31 near Prince Edward metro station. Law enforcement officials said that several people near the station that evening held bouquets of flowers and shouted seditious slogans.

Police also claim that some people present spread false information and attempted to stir up hatred against the authorities. Earlier this month, another six people were detained on suspicion of the same offence and were later released on bail.

Tang Ho-wing posted a video from the station on social media in which activists shouted “August 31.” This date is linked to events in 2019, when clashes between police and protesters took place in Hong Kong amid mass pro-democracy protests. On that day, police officers in riot gear entered Prince Edward station and detained several protesters.

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The 2024 law and the response of rights groups

Those detained are being held for investigation under a local national security law adopted in 2024, which supplemented separate legislation introduced by Beijing after the 2019 protests. If convicted, they could face up to seven years in prison.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said this is the first publicly known case of a journalist being detained for incitement under the local 2024 law. The organisation stressed that arrests of journalists for working at the scene of events or for coverage that differs from the official version create risks for reporters.

The Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders condemned the detention of Tang Ho-wing. As of September 1, Hong Kong authorities had detained 416 people for various national security-related offences, and 186 of them had been convicted.