Central govt's national security office backs Jimmy Lai's arrest

HONG KONG – The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Wednesday expressed strong support for the arrests of media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and others by Hong Kong police in accordance with the law.

Any person who violates the National Security Law and other laws of Hong Kong must be subject to legal sanctions, said a spokesperson for the office.

The office firmly supports Hong Kong police in discharging their duties to combat acts endangering national security, added the spokesperson.

According to the city's police force, at least 10 suspects, including Lai and activist Agnes Chow Ting, were arrested on Monday on suspicion of collusion with foreign or external forces to endanger national security and other offenses such as conspiracy to commit fraud and sedition. They were released on bail in the early hours of Wednesday.