Hong Kong confirms journalist arrested for alleged ‘seditious’ acts linked to 2019 Prince Edward MTR incident commemorations

Hong Kong police apprehended a man and a woman on Wednesday for allegedly engaging in "sedition" during a commemoration on August 31 of the 2019 Prince Edward MTR station incident, local media reported. The 37-year-old journalist identified as Tang Ho-wing and the 58-year-old activist named Lee Ying-chi were taken into custody. This marks the first known instance of a journalist being arrested for sedition under Hong Kong's newly enacted national security law introduced in 2024, according to the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA).

The arrests were part of a series of operations targeting individuals involved in the incident on that date, during which police discovered six others who were also detained and released on bail. Police stated that some individuals at the scene were spreading false information, attacking the government, and attempting to stir up hatred against authorities.

Tang had previously posted a video on social media from the scene, showing protesters shouting "August 31." On that day in 2019, clashes between police and protesters took place in multiple districts of Hong Kong, leading to violent confrontations. Critics alleged that riot police used excessive force, including batons and pepper spray, against civilians, resulting in some deaths, although the police denied these claims.

On the anniversary of the incident each year since, protests continue to be held overseas to commemorate the event. Police claimed that the incident in 2019 was fabricated and based on "lies." If found guilty, Tang and Lee could face up to seven years in prison. The HKJA and organizations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders have condemned the arrest, stating that it sets a dangerous precedent for journalists and risks intimidating them for performing their duties.