Three people were arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly insulting China's national anthem during a World Cup qualifier match against Iran at Hong Kong Stadium. The arrests occurred after two men and a woman either turned their backs or remained seated during the anthem. This incident follows the enactment of a 2020 law criminalizing insults to the Chinese anthem. If convicted, the individuals face up to three years in jail and a fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,400). The trio was later bailed. The arrests are part of a broader crackdown, with 15 political arrests and 5 detentions reported in Hong Kong over the past week, including arrests for sedition and commemorating the June 4 Tiananmen crackdown. The arrests were met with jeers from the crowd.
The 5th anniversary of the start of the 2019 mass protests in #HongKong is near. Over the past 5 years, 225 HK pro-democracy leaders have been arrested 380 times. 53 are in prison. Hardly anywhere else in the world has the crackdown on political opposition been so severe. https://t.co/29pXuetnna
[Recap] Three people were arrested on suspicion of insulting China's national anthem during a 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier in Hong Kong. https://t.co/9Jbzwf0UaA
Showing insufficient patriotism is now grounds to get yourself arrested at a football match in Hong Kong. The offenders remained seated during the national anthem and/or turned their backs https://t.co/to4JU3frZB
"Three people were arrested for turning their backs and remaining seated when #China’s national anthem was played prior to Hong Kong’s home World Cup qualifier against Iran, police said on June 7." https://t.co/FthPJ90Gsc
Three arrested in Hong Kong for ‘insulting’ Chinese anthem at World Cup qualifier https://t.co/IWqdyVTmQS
3 arrested in Hong Kong over allegedly insulting China’s national anthem during World Cup qualifier 🔗 https://t.co/9Jbzwf1s08 https://t.co/50Q5n1EgWE
Trio bailed after arrest at Hong Kong football game over insulting national anthem https://t.co/Vh86hnOPpd
June 6: two men and a woman were arrested at the Hong Kong Stadium because they turned their backs toward the pitch and did not stand up for the playing of the national anthem. If convicted, they face up to three years in jail and a fine of HK$50,000 (US$6,400).… https://t.co/TXdmgaT1qn
#HongKongers are great: as the police arrest three people for “insulting the national anthem” (which isn’t even HK’s anthem but China’s) during the HK-Iran match on Thursday evening, they’re met by a loud chorus of jeers & classic Cantonese swears from the crowd. https://t.co/1hIbIAw6hX
That’s now 15 political arrests & 5 detentions in the space of a week in #HongKong: 8 for #sedition for online posts re #June4 & aiding a political prisoner; 9 for commemorating June 4 on the street; 3 for not standing during the Chinese anthem at a football match. #PoliceState https://t.co/7pBIgsJUBb
[Recap] Beijing has expressed its opposition to "political theatrics" from foreign consulates in Hong Kong on the 35th Tiananmen crackdown anniversary. https://t.co/ikhjFgblAe
HK01 reports police arrested 3 people at HK-Iran match on suspicion of "insulting the national anthem." 2 didn't stand up & 1 turned his back. A new law was enacted in 2020 criminalizing insult of the Chinese anthem. https://t.co/gNIGrbutqV https://t.co/L3bUtaCn32
Our co-founder and CEO @benedictrogers will be speaking at this protest on Sunday for #HongKong to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2019 protests, demand #FreeJimmyLai, free Chow Hang-Tung, the 47 and all political prisoners, and review the status of HKETOs Please join us https://t.co/YkBBBFs0WF
[Recap] Hong Kong has seen its annual vigils to remember the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown snuffed out, but cities around the world continue to mark the date. https://t.co/io7yB52G1a
[Recap] Four people were arrested in Hong Kong on the 35th anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, including one woman on suspicion of sedition. https://t.co/pvvCW64OEc