A veteran journalist for the now-defunct independent media outlet Stand News was arrested by Hong Kong national security police on April 11 for allegedly conspiring to publish “seditious publication.” Allan Au, 54, was released on bail later that day after being held in custody for 17 hours, Hong Kong news agency The Standard reported. Au was arrested at his residence in Highland Park in Kwai Chung under a colonial-era anti-sedition law covering “conspiracy to publish seditious materials.” He could face a two-year prison sentence if found guilty, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Police did not specify the reason for his arrest, but local media reported that it was related to Au’s contribution Stand News, where he worked as a journalist and columnist. RSF stated that Au was the third journalist linked to Stand News detained under the anti-sedition law, along with chief editors Patrick Lam and Chung Pui-kuen, who are currently …