HONG KONG — Hong Kong police arrested a man and a woman Friday in Kwai Chung on suspicion of violating the controversial Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, alongside charges related to aiding criminals and possessing illicit drugs. The operation, executed by the National Security Department of the police force, centered on a local snack shop, underscoring the authorities’ broadened enforcement powers under the city’s new domestic security law.
The two individuals, identified by police as a 32-year-old local man and a 27-year-old local woman, were detained on charges including “acts with seditious intent,” as defined under Article 24 of the Ordinance. Police confirmed that investigators also found a small quantity of suspected cannabis at their Kwai Chung residence. The suspects are currently being held for questioning.
Snack Shop Linked to Alleged Seditious Activity
The arrests followed an investigation into the activities of the snack establishment, known as “Kau Giu,” located in Kwai Chung Plaza. Police executed a court warrant to search the premises, seizing cash and relevant business receipts.
According to police statements, the male suspect allegedly used the shop’s social media platforms to disseminate seditious posts on numerous occasions between October 2020 and October 2025. Furthermore, police claim the individual provided financial support for activities deemed to endanger national security. The specific nature of the alleged seditious acts and the organizations purportedly funded were not detailed by the authorities.
The raid drew attention locally after social media circulation showed plainclothes and uniformed officers descending upon the second-floor shop on Thursday afternoon. Eyewitness accounts, shared online, reported seeing several plainclothes officers searching the premises and detaining a male employee. Photographs from the scene showed uniformed police using tape to cordon off the storefront while investigators, some equipped with video cameras, conducted searches.
Broad Reach of New Security Legislation
The charges of “acts with seditious intent” fall under the city’s domestically enacted security law, commonly referred to as Article 23 legislation, which took effect in March. Legal analysts note that this broad offense targets communications and actions deemed capable of inciting hatred, disaffection, or endangering public order, carrying a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison.
The inclusion of unrelated criminal offenses, specifically “assisting offenders” and “possession of dangerous drugs,” alongside the national security charges, highlights the multifaceted approach police are taking in investigations involving perceived threats to state security.
This latest enforcement action serves as a stark reminder of the expanding application of national security laws across various sectors of Hong Kong society, extending surveillance and regulatory scrutiny from political groups to small, local businesses. As the investigation continues, legal observers are closely monitoring how the prosecution applies the new sedition provisions, which have been a point of contention among international rights groups concerned about shrinking civil liberties in the territory.
The police have not disclosed a timeline for formal charges, stating only that the two suspects remain in custody pending further inquiry.
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