The publication's offices were raided last week over allegations that several reports had breached a controversial national security law. Compan

Apple Daily: Hong Kong pro-democracy paper announces closure

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2021-06-23 09:00:09

The publication's offices were raided last week over allegations that several reports had breached a controversial national security law.

Company-linked assets worth HK$18m ($2.3m; £1.64m) were later frozen. Police also detained its chief editor and five other executives.

The paper's management said that "in view of staff members' safety", it had decided "to cease operation immediately after midnight" - making Thursday's publication the final printed edition.

A separate announcement by publisher Next Digital thanked the readers for their "loyal support" as well as its journalists, staff and advertisers.

Mark Simon, a close adviser of Jimmy Lai, told the BBC that police had disrupted a board meeting earlier on Wednesday and arrested one journalist.

"We are already closing to be honest, but they still had to show up and to make an arrest," he said. "[The police wanted to] influence the outcome of the board meeting… they wanted to make sure [Apple Daily] closes quickly."