Hong Kong Bookstore Workers Detained for Selling Pro-Democracy Activist’s Biography

Authorities in Hong Kong have reportedly detained a bookstore owner and three employees for allegedly selling prohibited publications, including a biography of imprisoned pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai. The arrests highlight growing restrictions on press freedom and civil liberties in the former British territory.

HONG KONG (AP) — Authorities in Hong Kong have reportedly detained the owner of an independent bookstore along with three employees on charges of distributing prohibited publications, including a biography of imprisoned pro-democracy leader Jimmy Lai, raising additional alarm about diminishing civil liberties in the territory.

In a related development Tuesday, government officials ordered the removal of three business entities connected to Lai’s former newspaper, Apple Daily, from Hong Kong’s corporate registry. According to an official statement, these companies have been dissolved and designated as “prohibited organizations,” with authorities cautioning that any association with them would breach national security legislation enacted in 2024.

Both Lai and the three recently deregistered entities — Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD internet Limited — received convictions in December for conspiring to collaborate with foreign entities to threaten national security. Additional convictions were handed down for conspiring to distribute seditious materials under separate sedition statutes.

Last month, Lai received a 20-year prison sentence while each of the three companies faced fines exceeding 3 million Hong Kong dollars (approximately $384,000).

Opposition voices argue that these recent government actions related to Lai have created an even more restrictive atmosphere in the former British territory, which was guaranteed certain civil rights when sovereignty transferred to China in 1997.

Multiple local news organizations, including TVB broadcaster and the South China Morning Post, reported Tuesday that Pong Yat-ming, who operates an independent bookstore, and three workers from his establishment, Book Punch, were detained on suspicion of distributing seditious materials. These reports, citing unnamed sources, indicated that national security officers had conducted searches of the bookstore and that “The Troublemaker,” Lai’s biography, was among the questioned publications.

Law enforcement officials declined to verify the detentions, stating only that they “will take actions according to actual circumstances and in accordance with the law.” The bookstore has not yet provided a response.

When The Associated Press visited Wednesday, the bookstore remained shuttered, displaying a sign at its entrance that read: “Taking a day off due to an unexpected situation. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

Independent bookshops, commonly viewed as venues providing politically sensitive literature not readily available in public libraries or major retailers, have encountered numerous operational difficulties.

Pong faces separate charges related to his other bookstore operations. In January, he entered a not guilty plea to accusations of operating an unlicensed educational facility by permitting Spanish language instruction at his store.

Hunter Bookstore, another independent book retailer, previously reported frequent visits from officials regarding complaints about matters such as conducting unlicensed events.

On Wednesday, Hunter raised questions about how book retailers could distinguish which publications authorities consider seditious under national security laws. The store posted on social media expressing hope that officials would create an online registry, promising to cease selling any titles listed as seditious.

“Books and publishing are not independent enterprises. They are the cultural foundation of the entire society,” the store stated.

Officials justified Tuesday’s dissolution of the three Apple Daily-linked companies as essential for protecting national security.

The now-closed publication, established by Lai and recognized for its critical reporting on Hong Kong and Beijing administrations, ceased operations nearly five years ago after key management personnel were arrested under national security legislation Beijing implemented in 2020 to suppress widespread anti-government demonstrations in 2019.

The three dissolved companies served as the newspaper’s official publisher, printing operation, and website domain owner.

Several local media sources reported Wednesday that police had entered the vacant offices of Next Digital, Apple Daily’s parent organization.

Beyond Lai, six former Apple Daily employees who accepted guilty pleas in the case received prison sentences ranging from six years and nine months to 10 years.

Lai’s sentencing has prompted international condemnation, with numerous critics arguing that the national security case demonstrates the deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong. City officials maintain the case is unrelated to press freedom and assert that both security laws are essential for maintaining stability.

On Monday, local authorities modified implementation guidelines for the 2020 security law, indicating intensified national security enforcement efforts.

Customs officials now possess authority to confiscate any materials they reasonably believe contain seditious content.

The updated guidelines also permit police officers to demand passwords or other decryption methods from specific individuals during national security investigations. Those who refuse compliance could face up to one year imprisonment and fines of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $12,800) upon conviction.

Security Secretary Chris Tang informed legislators Tuesday that the new guidelines do not authorize police to randomly request mobile device passwords. He explained that officers must obtain court-issued warrants based on national security grounds before searching electronic equipment.