Five booksellers arrested over books with “seditious content”

Hong Kong’s national security police have arrested five booksellers on suspicion of “committing acts with seditious intent.” The Hong Kong government reported this.

According to police, customs authorities reported that books for children containing “seditious content” had been found among a shipment sent to Hong Kong from overseas. Following this, law enforcement officers searched two bookstores in the Mong Kok area of Kowloon district and detained two men aged 37 and 57, as well as three women aged between 30 and 59.

According to the investigation, the individuals are suspected of displaying and selling publications containing “seditious content.” Police confiscated several books from the stores. Law enforcement authorities stated that the publications allegedly incited hatred against the Hong Kong government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies.

Since Beijing introduced a comprehensive national security law in Hong Kong in 2020, the number of independent bookstores in the city has sharply declined. Previously, such bookstores served as important spaces for civil society by selling books on political and social issues that were not widely available in mainstream stores, as well as hosting book launches and discussions.

The South China Morning Post reported that those arrested were linked to the “Have a Nice Stay” and “Greenfield Bookstore” bookstores. “Have a Nice Stay” announced that it would close on August 30, citing financial losses and an “unclear red line” regarding which books could be considered problematic.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said on his Facebook page that every independent bookstore is an important space for protecting freedom of expression.

“We express our respect and support for all bookstores and cultural workers who continue to maintain their place even under difficult circumstances. Political pressure should not lead to the imprisonment of ideas and writings,” he said.

Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, called on democratic countries to urge Hong Kong authorities to release the detained booksellers.

It is worth recalling that earlier, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Taiwan would not be able to achieve independence with US assistance.