Apple Daily execs have bail revoked

National security police are believed to have revoked the bail granted to two former Apple Daily executives arrested last month, hours after arresting another former employee of the paper.

Associate publisher Chan Pui-man and editorial writer Fung Wai-kong were being detained at police stations in Sau Mau Ping and Wan Chai on Wednesday afternoon, sources told RTHK.

The pair were among several senior Apple Daily staff arrested in June on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with external forces to endanger national security.

Later on Wednesday, RTHK learnt that bail was revoked for another former editorial writer, Li Ping.

Earlier, another former senior employee from the newspaper was arrested, also on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.

Sources identified the man as Lam Man-chung, a former executive chief editor.

It’s understood that all four will appear in court on Thursday.

The newspaper shut down last month because of a lack of funds, after the government froze about HK$18 million of the company’s assets as part of the national security investigation.

Police had said that those arrested were believed to have played a key role in the publication of articles that called for foreign sanctions against Hong Kong and mainland officials.

Two senior executives of the paper were charged with conspiracy to collude with foreign forces.

At the end of last year, Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was charged with the same national security offence and is behind bars awaiting trial.
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Last updated: 2021-07-21 HKT 22:36