Hong Kong Police Raid Bookshops, Arrest Five Over 'Seditious' Content

Ekhbary News Agency

Hong Kong — Hong Kong police arrested five individuals following raids on two independent bookshops, accusing them of selling "seditious" publications. Authorities stated the books incited hatred against the city's government and law enforcement agencies. Officers seized numerous items from both locations, with the group now held for investigation under national security legislation.

Crackdown on Dissenting Voices

The five arrested—two men aged 37 and 57, and three women between 30 and 59—face potential sentences of up to seven years in prison if convicted. While officials did not name the businesses, reporters observed a woman in handcuffs being led from the "Have A Nice Stay" bookshop in Mong Kok. This particular shop, established in 2022 by former journalists, was known for its literature on democracy and media literacy, and had recently announced its impending closure, citing financial reasons and an "elusive 'red line'" regarding acceptable material.

Broader Implications for Freedom

The raid on "Have A Nice Stay" and the nearby "Greenfield Book Store" marks the latest in a series of actions against booksellers in the city; two other shops, Hunter and Book Punch, saw arrests earlier in 2026. Amnesty International condemned these operations, warning they illustrate "the chilling reality of what the city has become: a place where you can be criminalised simply for what's on your bookshelf." The rights group highlighted how uncertainty over "red lines" fosters fear and self-censorship among writers and publishers, a truly concerning development for what was once a bastion of free expression.