Hong Kong authorities conducted raids on two bookstores in the Mong Kok district, resulting in the arrest of five individuals on suspicion of selling publications deemed seditious under the city’s national security law. The operation targeted Have a Nice Stay, a bookshop established by former journalists, and the Greenfield Book Store, both known for offering politically sensitive material.

Police detained two men and three women, accusing them of displaying and selling items with “seditious intention,” in violation of the 2024 national security legislation. During the raids, officers were seen removing boxes of materials from the premises, according to video and photographic evidence circulated following the incidents.

This crackdown marks the third series of arrests involving independent bookstores this year, following similar enforcement actions in March and June. These stores had previously operated in an environment where Hong Kong was recognized for its relative freedom of publication and expression. The availability of politically sensitive books had even attracted mainland Chinese customers who crossed the border to purchase such materials.

The recent moves reflect escalating pressures on Hong Kong’s publishing sector amid tightened regulations and government scrutiny since the introduction of the national security law. Police did not specify the titles or content of the seized items, and investigations are ongoing. The arrests underscore the challenges facing freedom of expression and independent publishing in the city as authorities intensify efforts to curb material that could be interpreted as undermining state security.