International Desk: Police have arrested six journalists from a Hong Kong newspaper office on charges of conspiracy to publish sedition news. Among those arrested are current and former editors-in-chief of Stand News. Dennis Hoque, a pop star and icon of democracy, has also been arrested who was a former board member. Some former and current employees of Stand News are known to be their main targets.

A BBC report on Wednesday (December 29th) said more than 200 police had been deployed to the newspaper's office to conduct a search. Former chief editor Chung Pui-quen, acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam, former directors Dennis Ho, Margaret Ng, Christine Fang and Chou Tat-chi have been arrested.

Police said in a statement that they had received permission to search and seize material related to journalism. Earlier, Dennis Ho confirmed in a Facebook post that he had been arrested on the same charges and taken to the West Police Station. Among those arrested were three men and three women. Those aged 34 to 63 years.

On June 30, the Chinese parliament passed the controversial Hong Kong Security Act. This has further increased Beijing's influence in the semi-autonomous region. Critics say this could jeopardize Hong Kong's civil and political independence.