One more man arrested for operating platform aiding overseas fugitives: source

National security police on Thursday made another arrest in the case involving a "yellow camp" shopping reward platform called Mee-Punish Club, according to sources. This follows yesterday’s arrest of four former student leaders on suspicion of sedition and colluding with foreign forces.

It is understood the man arrested today is Calvin Chu Yan-ho, a former member of the now-defunct political group Demosisto. He was said to be nabbed by national security police this morning while preparing to board a flight to Taiwan.

Police said yesterday that the four men, aged 26 to 28, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and committing acts with seditious intent. They are being detained and more arrests could be made.

It is understood that the four include the former leader of the now-defunct Demosisto, Ivan Lam Long-yin, and three former members, William Liu Wai-lim, Arnold Chung Chin-ku and Li Kai-ching.

Officers raided a unit at Gold Way Industrial Centre on Wing Kin Road in Kwai Chung yesterday afternoon and seized 20 to 30 boxes of evidence, including documents, posters and slogans.

"Investigation revealed that the arrested persons were suspected of receiving funds from operating companies, social media platforms and mobile applications to support people who have fled overseas and continue to engage in activities that endanger national security. 

"They were also suspected of repeatedly publishing posts with seditious intention on social media platforms, including content which provoked hatred toward the central authorities and the government of the SAR and advocated Hong Kong independence."

Officers searched the four men's residences and office with a court warrant, seizing documents and electronic devices.

It is understood that the four founded the social media platform and mobile app to unite pro-democracy restaurants and merchants, or "yellow shops," to earn profits after Demosisto disbanded on June 30, 2020.

They are said to have used the money raised by the online shopping platform to support Nathan Law Kwun-chung - one of eight exiled suspects who is a cofounder and former chairman of the party - for anti-China activities overseas.