Govt Issues Freezing Order For Apple Daily Factory

The government has issued a freezing order for the defunct Apple Daily newspaper’s printing factory in Tseung Kwan O, with security chief Chris Tang saying he believes the property is linked to a national security offence.

Tang said he had exercised his power to freeze the asset on Wednesday morning, in accordance with the national security law’s implementation rules.

“Basically under that freezing order, they are not entitled to deal with that property, except with a licence from us," the security secretary said.

In June, authorities froze HK$18 million of company assets after earlier raiding the newspaper’s headquarters and arresting several top executives on suspicion of violating the national security law.

The tabloid closed that month citing a lack of funds after the asset freezes.

Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai remains in custody over national security charges, as are six former senior staff.