Hong Kong Police Raid Bookstores in Sedition Investigation

Hong Kong authorities conducted raids on two bookstores, arresting five individuals for allegedly selling seditious materials, as reported by local media on Wednesday. This action forms part of an ongoing effort to monitor and control independent booksellers.

Visual evidence from various news outlets displayed officers in police vests removing boxes from the premises of Have A Nice Stay, a bookstore established by former journalists. A bookseller from this establishment was observed being led away by police. A comparable scenario occurred at the nearby Greenfield Book Store, with boxes similarly removed, as captured by The Collective, an online news source.

In their statement, police confirmed the raids on two stores within the Mong Kok district, though they did not disclose the specific names. Two men and three women were detained under suspicion of violating the 2024 national security law. This set of arrests marks the third involving independent bookstores, following similar incidents in March and June aimed at suppressing dissent within Hong Kong.

The police report indicated that the investigation revealed the individuals in question were allegedly promoting and selling publications designed to incite hostility towards the government, judicial bodies, and law enforcement. Customs officials initiated the case after discovering books containing seditious content in shipments arriving from overseas, though specific titles were not given.

Both bookstores remained closed during their usual business hours. Attempts to reach Greenfield and a spokesperson from Have A Nice Stay were unsuccessful. Notably, Have A Nice Stay previously announced an impending closure on August 30, citing financial challenges and unclear regulatory boundaries.

Historically, Hong Kong enjoyed significant freedom of publication and expression. Many from mainland China frequented the area to access books considered too politically sensitive. The case of Lam Wing-kee, a former owner of Causeway Bay Books—made famous in 2016 for revealing his detention by Chinese authorities—remains a poignant reminder of changing times. His disclosure followed the mysterious disappearances of four colleagues in 2015.

After the political shifts post-2019 protests, the environment surrounding independent bookstores has further deteriorated. Authorities assert that national security laws are vital for maintaining Hong Kong’s stability. However, the Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, has dismissed the idea of a banned book list, labeling it as impractical.

In March, the owner and staff of Book Punch faced arrest linked to suspicions of distributing seditious literature, including the story of Jimmy Lai, a media mogul sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Similarly, June saw the arrest of two booksellers accused of both selling seditious books and obtaining backing from foreign political groups. All detained individuals were eventually released on bail.