Hong Kong police force. Photo:VCG

The Hong Kong police revealed on Friday the arrest of a 43-year-old local man for allegedly sending threatening letters to several media outlets and running a website that promotes activities suspected of endangering national security, according to local media reports.

Several local media outlets reported to police in June that they had received anonymous letters containing identical threats. The letters directed media organizations to publish a specific news article or face arson attacks on their offices. The article in question concerned a website that claims to sell souvenirs at discounted prices to raise funds in support of fugitives wanted for violating the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong and fleeing overseas. The website also promotes efforts to lobby foreign governments to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials and judges, the media reports said.

Given the potential national security implications of the threats and the website, the police took over the investigation. Officers discovered that the website was created using services from an overseas web hosting provider. Based on the site's content and digital trail, investigators identified a man surnamed Tse as a suspect.

On July 31, police arrested Tse in Fanling and searched his residence. Authorities also seized electronic devices containing multiple files, including images and data related to the implicated website. Among the seized documents were detailed lists of local media organizations and their office addresses - including those of the outlets that had reported the threats. Tse remains in custody for further questioning as the investigation continues.

Media reported that the man has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance in Hong Kong, according to police sources. The suspect, who is reportedly single, was detained for allegedly committing the offense of "seditious intention" under Article 24 of the Ordinance and "criminal intimidation" under Article 24 of the Crimes Ordinance.

Authorities accuse him of using threats to pressure media outlets into publishing content promoting "Hong Kong independence" free of charge. Investigations revealed that the suspect had created a website to sell products bearing pro-independence slogans, with part of the proceeds potentially used to support fugitives wanted by Hong Kong police and to fund related overseas activities.

The offense of "seditious intention" is classified as a serious crime in Hong Kong, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment upon conviction, according to media reports.

Police have issued a stern reminder that any individual who directly or indirectly provides financial support to fugitives - such as by forming joint ventures, partnerships, or similar arrangements with them, or by investing in such relationships - may be in violation of the law and face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Authorities said they will take stringent enforcement actions against such criminal acts and urged the public not to test the law.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government also issued a statement on Friday strongly condemning the slanderous remarks by the EU on the HKSAR's lawful act to pursue wanted persons who have endangered national security and absconded from Hong Kong.

Absconders should not think they can evade criminal liability by absconding from Hong Kong. Ultimately, they will be held liable for their acts constituting serious offences endangering national security and be punished by the law, a spokesperson from the HKSAR government said. No country or organization should harbor criminals nor try to exonerate these people, the spokesperson said.