The national security police in Hong Kong conducted raids on two independent bookstores on Wednesday, seizing boxes of books and arresting five individuals. Accusations were made against two men and three women for allegedly displaying items and selling content deemed seditious. This included materials seen as inciting hatred toward the Hong Kong government, its judicial system, and the police, as stated by a government release.
This is the third instance in recent months where bookstore owners have faced arrest in the city as part of an expanding crackdown on literature under a 2024 national security law. The law aims to suppress dissent, and those found guilty of “seditious intention” face up to seven years in prison.
Officials have not disclosed the names of the bookstores involved. However, local reports identified them as Have A Nice Stay and Greenfield Bookstore, both located in Kowloon. Have A Nice Stay has been managed by local journalists, some with ties to Stand News, an independent publication that ceased operations following a police raid in 2021.
Recently, Have A Nice Stay announced plans to close by August 30, citing financial difficulties and a challenging “social climate.” A message shared on Instagram expressed a grim outlook on Hong Kong’s economic conditions, making it difficult to continue operations.
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