‘Freezing of assets nothing to do with press freedom’

Security Secretary John Lee has dismissed accusations that he is suppressing press freedom and violating people’s right to private property ownership, after he froze the assets and shareholdings of Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai on Friday.

It was the government’s first use of new powers under the Beijing-imposed national security law.

Lai is already in jail, serving a 14-month sentence for taking part in unauthorised assemblies in August 2019, and authorities have also laid three national security-related charges against him.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Lee said he gave the freezing order because he has “reasonable suspicion” that Lai’s assets are related to an endangerment of national security.

He noted that the power to freeze assets is an important measure to prevent and stop such crimes, as well as being an internationally recognised way to curb money laundering and funding of illegal activities.

The secretary refused to divulge further details, such as the amount of assets frozen.

He also refused to comment on rumours that action would be taken to outlaw the Apple Daily newspaper.

Lee only stressed that people, no matter which industry they are in, have to abide by the law and any activities that endanger national security will not be tolerated.

“Such activities, persons or organisation will receive the full force of the law. Endangering national security is a very dangerous crime. We will make use of all legal measures to prevent, interdict and suppress such endangering national security activities,” he warned.

“It’s illegal activities that we are dealing with. It’s not press work,” said Lee.

The official also noted that there are legal provisions stating what assets will be deemed to be linked to illegal activities, with court procedures ensuring that such powers are exercised within the confines of the law.

Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing said earlier on Monday that the trading of Next Digital shares on the stock exchange was halted at the request of the company, which owns Apple Daily.

The suspension comes ahead of a statement to be released by Next Digital.

Asked about the ‘massagegate’ scandal plaguing the police, Lee said it’s inappropriate to make comments before the investigation is completed.

The director of the police’s national security department, and senior assistant commissioner, Frederic Choi had been put on leave after he was said to have been caught up in a raid on an unlicensed massage parlour.