YouTube shuts account of Hong Kong leadership candidate John Lee

Tech group says move linked to U.S. sanctions over security law

Washington sanctioned John Lee and 10 other officials in August 2020 over their involvement in the erosion of Hong Kong's civil liberties and a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. (Photo by Yuki Kohara)

PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writer

April 20, 2022 17:59 JST

Updated on April 20, 2022 22:19 JST

HONG KONG -- YouTube has shut the account of Hong Kong's chief executive candidate, John Lee, over U.S. sanctions that were slapped on the city's then security chief over a controversial national security law.

The U.S.-based online video platform, operated by Google, closed the account early Wednesday and removed it from the company's website.