Published: 16:00, March 26, 2020 | Updated: 05:48, June 6, 2023
HK: 'Opposition councilor' arrested for alleged sedition
By Zhao Ruinan

HONG KONG - Hong Kong police said they had arrested a 61-year-old woman for engaging in seditious acts in the early hours of Thursday. 

Local media reports said the woman was Cheng Lai-king, chairwoman of the Central and Western District Council. It was reported that opposition councilor had forwarded posts with personal information of police officers on the internet.

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The woman may also be prosecuted for contempt of court for breaching an earlier injunction order which prohibits doxxing police officers and their families, police said

The offense carries a maximum penalty of two-year imprisonment and a fine of HK$5,000. 

Briefing the media on Thursday, Swalikh Mohammed, Superintendent of Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, said the arrest was made after an investigation into the leaking of police officers’ personal data online, accompanied by threats and hate messages.

The woman may also be prosecuted for contempt of court for breaching an earlier injunction order which prohibits doxxing police officers and their families. The investigation is ongoing, said Mohammed.

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The injunction ordered by the High Court last year banned unlawful and malicious leaking of private information of police officers and their family members. 

Police warned that doxxing is a serious criminal offense, which not only causes harm to police officers but also threatens social stability.

zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn