In Hong Kong, two men have been arrested for possession of children's books that have previously been labelled seditious. While there was an crackdown earlier on the publishing of the said picture books, this is believed to be the first case of arrest over their mere possession. The books, part of a series titled 'Yangcun', tell the story of a sheep village facing the threat of invasion at the hands of wolves.

The arrest of two men, aged 38 and 50, was reportedly carried out on March 13. Their homes and offices were searched by police and customs officers.

Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-judge-finds-5-speech-therapists-guilty-over-childrens-books-513915" target="_blank">Hong Kong judge finds 5 speech therapists guilty over children's books</a>

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According to a Guardian report, a police press release cited by the local media claims that copies of the "seditious publications" that allegedly "incited hatred or contempt" against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments and the judiciary were found with them.

Since then, they have been released on bail, but have been told to report to the police next month.

Human Rights Watch has described the arrests as shameful and alleged that the government is using its colonial-era law to clamp down on dissent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-speech-therapists-sentenced-to-19-months-in-prison-514849">Hong Kong speech therapists sentenced to 19 months in prison for publishing 'seditious' books</a> 
&nbsp;

<h2>What makes these books seditious?</h2>

Authorities in Hong Kong have interpreted the characters as a dig at the government with the sheep allegedly referring to Hong Kongers and the wolves to China's government.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-speech-therapists-convicted-over-publishing-of-seditious-books-that-make-kids-hate-beijing-513845">Hong Kong speech therapists convicted for publishing 'seditious' books that make kids hate Beijing</a>

<h2>What happened earlier?</h2>

Last year, in a high-profile case over the same "seditious' Yangcun books, five speech therapists were jailed for publishing the books. They were sentenced to 19 months in prison.

In January of this year, a 24-year-old student was arrested for sedition for posting download links of the said children's books on Facebook. As per local Hong Kong news outlet Mingpao, the post was accompanied by "inflammatory statements."

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
&nbsp;

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In Hong Kong, two men have been arrested for possession of children's books that have previously been labelled seditious. While there was an crackdown earlier on the publishing of the said picture books, this is believed to be the first case of arrest over their mere possession.

In Hong Kong, two men have been arrested for possession of children's books that have previously been labelled seditious. While there was an crackdown earlier on the publishing of the said picture books, this is believed to be the first case of arrest over their mere possession. The books, part of a series titled 'Yangcun', tell the story of a sheep village facing the threat of invasion at the hands of wolves. The arrest of two men, aged 38 and 50, was reportedly carried out on March 13. Their homes and offices were searched by police and customs officers. Watch | Hong Kong judge finds 5 speech therapists guilty over children's books According to a Guardian report, a police press release cited by the local media claims that copies of the "seditious publications" that allegedly "incited hatred or contempt" against the Chinese and Hong Kong governments and the judiciary were found with them. Since then, they have been released on bail, but have been told to report to the police next month. Human Rights Watch has described the arrests as shameful and alleged that the government is using its colonial-era law to clamp down on dissent. Also read | Hong Kong speech therapists sentenced to 19 months in prison for publishing 'seditious' books What makes these books seditious? Authorities in Hong Kong have interpreted the characters as a dig at the government with the sheep allegedly referring to Hong Kongers and the wolves to China's government. Also read | Hong Kong speech therapists convicted for publishing 'seditious' books that make kids hate Beijing What happened earlier? Last year, in a high-profile case over the same "seditious' Yangcun books, five speech therapists were jailed for publishing the books. They were sentenced to 19 months in prison. In January of this year, a 24-year-old student was arrested for sedition for posting download links of the said children's books on Facebook. As per local Hong Kong news outlet Mingpao, the post was accompanied by "inflammatory statements." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Hong Kong: Two men arrested for possessing ‘seditious’ children’s picture books

In Hong Kong, a five-day trial began over illustrated children's books that apparently had "seditious" content. Notably, the unionists have pleaded not guilty to publishing such content. The books were published by the General Union of&nbsp;Hong Kong&nbsp;Speech Therapists, which is&nbsp;now-defunct.&nbsp;

Last July, the Chinese authorities arrested five speech therapists in Hong Kong on sedition charges. It is said that they published children's books that contained anti-Beijing sentiment.&nbsp;

Now the therapists are finally facing trial for charges for a series of books about a village of sheep and a village of wolves.&nbsp;

Local media outlets in Hong Kong, which are aware of the content, reported that the books differentiate the two towns as good and bad. In the books, the wolves' society had a striking resemblance to mainland China.&nbsp;

As per reports, the books depicted a society of wolves that was monitored by CCTV cameras. The kids' books showed that the wolves are plotting an infiltration of the sheep village after their shepherd has left.&nbsp;

It is said that the content of the books showed an uncanny resemblance to China, Hong Kong and the former British government.&nbsp;There are references to real-life political controversies, such as the arrest of would-be Hong Kong escapees.&nbsp;

As quoted by the South China Morning Post, Laura Ng Shuk-kuen, who is the leading prosecutor, said: "[The books'] combined effect was to influence or educate readers to neither be Chinese nor have a sense of belonging to the country."&nbsp;

"[The books] effectively instilled into readers [sentiments of] separatism, tribalism and betrayal of their country, resulting in the loss of national identity, as well as damage to Chinese sovereignty, territorial integrity and the long-term stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," Shuk-kuen said as translated by SCMP.&nbsp;

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In Hong Kong, a five-day trial began over illustrated children's books that apparently had "seditious" content. Notably, the unionists have pleaded not guilty to publishing such content.

In Hong Kong, a five-day trial began over illustrated children's books that apparently had "seditious" content. Notably, the unionists have pleaded not guilty to publishing such content. The books were published by the General Union of Hong Kong Speech Therapists, which is now-defunct. Last July, the Chinese authorities arrested five speech therapists in Hong Kong on sedition charges. It is said that they published children's books that contained anti-Beijing sentiment. Now the therapists are finally facing trial for charges for a series of books about a village of sheep and a village of wolves. Local media outlets in Hong Kong, which are aware of the content, reported that the books differentiate the two towns as good and bad. In the books, the wolves' society had a striking resemblance to mainland China. As per reports, the books depicted a society of wolves that was monitored by CCTV cameras. The kids' books showed that the wolves are plotting an infiltration of the sheep village after their shepherd has left. It is said that the content of the books showed an uncanny resemblance to China, Hong Kong and the former British government. There are references to real-life political controversies, such as the arrest of would-be Hong Kong escapees. As quoted by the South China Morning Post, Laura Ng Shuk-kuen, who is the leading prosecutor, said: "[The books'] combined effect was to influence or educate readers to neither be Chinese nor have a sense of belonging to the country." "[The books] effectively instilled into readers [sentiments of] separatism, tribalism and betrayal of their country, resulting in the loss of national identity, as well as damage to Chinese sovereignty, territorial integrity and the long-term stability of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," Shuk-kuen said as translated by SCMP. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Curious case of 'seditious' sheep: Trial opens in Hong Kong over controversial content of kids' books

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Hong Kong: Two men arrested for possessing ‘seditious’ children’s picture books

Curious case of 'seditious' sheep: Trial opens in Hong Kong over controversial content of kids' books