A man has been arrested after he threatened to burn down the offices of local media organisations if they did not publish an article supporting Hong Kong independence and promoting a crowdfunding website for fugitives wanted under the national security law.
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Police said on Friday that the 43-year-old man was arrested for seditious intent under the national security law and criminal intimidation.
“In June, multiple media organisations received an anonymous letter with threats in their mail, instructing them to publish an article for free or risk having their offices be set on fire,” said Superintendent Chow Hok-yin of the national security department.
Chow said the article involved promoting a website that claimed to sell souvenirs to crowdfund for those who absconded and were wanted by police under the national security law.
The website also supported calls for foreign governments to sanction Hong Kong officials and judges.
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According to a source, the blackmail message included a link and screenshot of the website that was selling products promoting Hong Kong independence.