As of Thursday (July 6), the Hong Kong police have arrested five individuals for their alleged support of overseas activists, which authorities claim endangered national security. These arrests are part of the government’s escalating crackdown on pro-democracy dissidents. One additional arrest was made on Thursday, following the detention of four others the day before, all suspected of having connections to pro-democracy activists located abroad.
The Hong Kong police on Wednesday arrested four men for supposedly supporting overseas pro-democracy dissidents. The National Security Department of the Hong Kong Police, in a statement, said that the four men are suspected of “receiving funds from operating companies, social platforms and mobile applications to support people who have fled overseas and continue to engage in activities that endanger national security.”
The police also said that they searched the detainees’ homes and offices and seized some related documents and electronic communication devices. They added, the four men were being detained for further enquiries and did not rule out additional arrests related to the case. However, the police did not give the names of the detainees.
It was not immediately clear if the arrests were linked to the eight arrest warrants issued, earlier this week, for prominent foreign-based dissidents. However, local media reports citing unnamed sources connected the arrested men to an online platform known as “Punish Mee,” reported Reuters.

The online platform is reportedly used to provide financial aid to the eight wanted overseas activists. The arrests on Wednesday also took place for “suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and acts with seditious intent,” said the police, adding that they were under suspicion of violating the National Security Law.

The online platform is reportedly used to provide financial aid to the eight wanted overseas activists. The arrests on Wednesday also took place for “suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and acts with seditious intent,” said the police, adding that they were under suspicion of violating the National Security Law.

The police said in reference to the controversial law was imposed on Hong Kong by China, a year after pro-democracy protests broke out across the city.