Hong Kong police force. Photo:VCG

According to multiple Hong Kong media outlets, the Hong Kong Police Force's National Security Department arrested a 26-year-old man surnamed Chan on Wednesday on suspicion of "committing an act with seditious intent." The suspect, a Chinese nationality, is known as "Kenny" on YouTube and claimed to be a member of the group "White Card Alliance." 

With a YouTube channel called Kowloon King, he had recently posted videos on social media expressing hateful and dehumanizing remarks about the victims of the Tai Po fire, describing those killed or injured in the fire as "deeply sinful," claiming that the blaze was "retribution" and the victims "deserved no sympathy." Images circulating online appear to show him taking selfies at the fire scene, smiling broadly and flashing a victory gesture, according to Wen Wei Po.

According to Sing Tao Daily, Chan has also been involved in unlawful behavior in the past. In September 2024, during the passage of Super Typhoon Yagi in Hong Kong, he was arrested by police on suspicion of stealing a free-roaming cat from the Pak Tai Temple on Ma Tau Wai Road in Hung Hom. In addition, some netizens claimed that in the same month they witnessed Chen taking food that another customer had just purchased at a fast-food restaurant before leaving.

The so-called "White Card Alliance" is composed of several individuals active online, according to local media reports. Some members frequently engage in borderline behavior, filming and uploading videos to generate views; in certain cases, members have even committed criminal offenses. The group has repeatedly produced and circulated inappropriate videos, including acts of nuisance and indecency in public places and on public transportation. Such content has often drawn strong public criticism, per local reports. 

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government strongly disapproved and rejected foreign forces, including anti-China media organizations, and anti-China and destabilizing forces for not just making unfounded and slanderous remarks regarding the HKSAR government's relief work on and investigations into the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, but also for their sowing of discord and malicious attack on the rescue operations, according to a statement issued by the HKSAR government on late Wednesday.  

"Acts with seditious intent" constitute a serious offense and carry a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment upon conviction, local media said, noting that the police will not tolerate malicious remarks that deliberately spread incitement and hatred, fuel social division, or interfere with rescue operations, and will take resolute enforcement action in accordance with the law.