Key facts
- Hong Kong police arrested five individuals under the national security law.
- The arrests were for allegedly selling and displaying 'seditious' books.
- The books were accused of inciting hatred against the government, judiciary, and law enforcement.
- Two independent bookshops, Have a Nice Stay and Greenfield Bookstore, were raided.
- The arrested individuals face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
Hong Kong's national security police arrested five individuals on suspicion of "doing an act with seditious intention" after raiding two independent bookstores, Have a Nice Stay and Greenfield Bookstore. The government stated that publications seized from the shops were deemed seditious and incited hatred against the territory's government, judiciary, and law enforcement. The arrested group, comprising two men and three women, could face up to seven years in prison if convicted. Have a Nice Stay, which had announced its impending closure due to financial losses and concerns over content restrictions, was among the targeted businesses. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed solidarity with the booksellers, stating that thought and writing should not be imprisoned by political pressure. Human Rights Watch called for the release of the arrested individuals.