The Media in Hong Kong say business man, Jimmy Lai, has been arrested over allegations of collusion with foreign forces in breach of the new national security law.
Lai is the owner of pan-democratic tabloid Apple Daily; also accused of the same crime.
The prominent pro-democracy figure has been a very vocal critic of both the Hong Kong government and of Beijing’s increasingly assertive presence in the territory.
Online footage showed dozens of police officers raiding his newspaper offices and searching floors of news desks.
His case is the most high-profile arrest so far under the controversial security law imposed by China in June.
In February the 71-year-old, who also holds UK citizenship, was charged with illegal assembly and intimidation. But he was later granted police bail.
The national security law imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing came into force on June 30, the eve of the 23rd anniversary of the handover of the ex-British colony back to China. It targets secession, acts of terrorism, subversion and collusion with foreign forces.
The law has garnered widespread international criticism which has resulted in countries including Britain, the United States and Germany making moves to withdraw their extradition treaties with the territory.
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