In a statement on its controlled Facebook page, the publication said it produced 550,000 copies on Tuesday – up from the normal circulation of about 70,000. In a post Monday, it asked people in Hong Kong to buy the paper and show their support, a message that was apparently picked up by many people who were seen putting up for copies.
Shares of Next Digital, the newspaper’s parent company, skyrocketed more than 1,100% in Hong Kong this week, although it is equivalent to about 14 US cents – another sign of support among the local population.
On Tuesday, the front page of the paper presented an image of Lai being arrested, and the headline: “Apple Daily must maintain its operations.” It also included a statement that said the newspaper condemned – and was “deeply angry” – about the police operations.
Next Digital also promised to “fight.”
“Hong Kong’s press freedom now depends on a thread,” it said in a statement. “Apple Daily staff will remain fearful and continue to speak the truth in the midst of persecution.”
Police said Monday in a statement that officials from the newly created Department of National Security had conducted the search for an “in-depth investigation”, and with a warrant issued by a magistrate.
The people arrested were suspected of “collusion” with foreign troops to endanger national security, and “collusion to defraud,” police said in a statement.
Authorities noted that the investigation is ongoing, and that more arrests could be made.
A spokeswoman for the Hungarian-Hungarian Bureau of Investigation, which is administered by the country’s State Council, also spoke on Monday about the issue, saying it “strongly supports” the arrests of Jimmy Lai and others who were arrested. .
“People who collide with foreign troops to endanger national security should be severely punished under the law,” the representative said in a statement.
The arrest has raised concerns about the future of Hong Kong media.
“A month or two ago, no one could have imagined that in Hong Kong, media organizations could be so sought after,” said President Chris Yeung of Hong Kong Journalists Association on Monday.
“We never thought this could happen in Hong Kong,” he added. “This is very sad.”
The office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong criticized the FCC, accusing it of deploying the local police force.
The bureau accused the organization of trying to “whitewash and justify Jimmy Lai and other criminal suspects.”
“Lawbreakers will be held accountable, and no one will be above the law,” the bureau said Tuesday.
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly attributed a statement from the office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong to another agency.
– Vanesse Chan and James Griffiths contributed to this report.
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