The Hong Kong police National Security Department arrested two men in Cheung Sha Wan and Chai Wan on Saturday under the colonial-era sedition law.

national security arrests
Items seized during the arrests. Photo: GovHK.

The residences of the 31-year-old and 53-year-old were searched. “Some electronic communication devices which were used to publish seditious messages, a computer, military knives and an imitation firearm were seized,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Police said the men were suspected of “doing an act or acts with seditious intention,” possession of an imitation firearm, an offensive weapon and the “possession of apparatus for radiocommunications without licence.”

The arrests come days before Chinese leader Xi Jinping is expected to swear in Chief Executive-elect John Lee amid high security and media restrictions.

wanchai exhibition centre security
Barricades have been erected around Wanchai’s exhibition centre, where the July 1 leadership inauguration will take place. Photo: Supplied.

Both men are being held by police.

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Tom founded Hong Kong Free Press in 2015 and is the editor-in-chief. In addition to editing, he is responsible for managing the newsroom and company - including fundraising, recruitment and overseeing HKFP's web presence and ethical guidelines.

He has a BA in Communications and New Media from Leeds University and an MA in Journalism from the University of Hong Kong. He previously led an NGO advocating for domestic worker rights, and has contributed to the BBC, Deutsche Welle, Al-Jazeera and others.