Man arrested for alleged sedition in Hong Kong amid warning over fire rumours

Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested a man on suspicion of trying to incite sedition in relation to the deadly blaze in Tai Po, the Post has learned.

The move on Saturday came as the central government’s national security authorities in Hong Kong warned against “anti-China and ill-intentioned individuals” exploiting the tragedy in an attempt to disrupt the city.

A source earlier said a man, identified as “Miles”, had been taken to a police station for questioning. It remains unclear whether that man had been arrested.

It was reported that a person called Miles Kwan and a group of unidentified others had set up the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court Fire Concern Group, which launched the petition calling on the government to address four demands in the aftermath of the inferno at the residential complex that killed at least 128 people.

It calls for providing support for affected residents, examining the system for supervising construction work, setting up an independent commission of inquiry and pursuing accountability while holding government officials responsible.

According to a check on Saturday evening, the group’s Instagram page and the link to participate in the petition were no longer available.

In a reply to the Post, the force said it would take action in accordance with the law.

The Saturday statement from the Office for Safeguarding National Security did not point to any specific body or individual, but it accused “anti-China” and “malicious individuals” of spreading false information, attacking the government’s rescue efforts, inciting social division and stirring hatred against authorities and the chief executive.

It said such acts amounted to defying humanity, and those responsible were bound to face moral condemnation and legal punishment.

“They exploit people’s pain and go against public opinion, attempting to use the victims’ grief to advance their political ambitions and drag Hong Kong back into the turmoil of the 2019 social unrest,” an office spokesman said.

“We sternly warn the anti-China disruptors who attempt to ‘disrupt Hong Kong through disaster’. No matter what methods you use, you will certainly be held accountable and strictly punished under the Hong Kong national security law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.”

During the 2019 anti-government protests, demonstrators rallied behind a list of demands and chanted the slogan “five demands, not one less”.

The office spokesman also underscored its support for the Hong Kong government in cracking down on acts trying to disrupt the city during a tragedy, punishing acts endangering national security and counteracting any interference from external forces.

It stressed the government, backed by the central authorities and the motherland, led all sectors of society in the response to the disaster, while departments also promptly clarified the relevant facts.

“They exposed and refuted the evil plots of disruptors to mislead and confuse the public and investigated and curbed the unruly words and actions of those with ulterior motives who seek to exploit the disaster to create unrest and disrupt Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.

The office called on the public to remain vigilant against efforts by individuals with malicious intentions who provoked social division and confrontation under the guise of speaking for the people.

It said the public should stand together in solidarity and help the government in the aftermath of the tragedy.

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Do not speak against Big Brother lest you be deemed malicious and defying humanity, kek.

the 1st sentence already got keyword = "national security police"

not HK police...not even supported by them or any hongkie

Topkek CCP authoritarian leadership, his 4 demands were reasonable request for any major tragedy. What “incitement” element is there?

Ktards love to call the honkies katchat, now pls come defend the CCP action.

Ktards like to call Hong Kong people cockroach ma. So only government officials are human beings. If you criticize government officials then you are defying humanity.

petition asking to investigate also wrong?

If same thing happens in Malaysia, angkat sebagai HERO