A detainee is suspected to have breached the national security law after officers found messages relating to Hong Kong independence written on his cell wall.
Authorities said Tuesday that correctional officers at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Center “received intelligence” that a detainee at the prison “attempted to disseminate the message of ‘Hong Kong independence’ inside the institution.”
When officers searched the detainee’s cell, they found words on the wall suspected of advocating Hong Kong independence.
South China Morning Post identified the detainee as Adam Ma, who is the third person to be charged under the national security law. The sweeping legislation criminalizes acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Ma was remanded in November for incitement to secession, authorities said. In court, he reportedly shouted “The fruit of democracy is bought with blood and sweat!”
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The Correctional Service Department said detainees who commit illegal acts, such as spreading messages of Hong Kong independence, will be “handled seriously with zero tolerance.”
Ma was “immediately put in custody under separation for investigation,” the government statement read, adding that police have been alerted to the case.
