Hong Kong: first suspect convicted under national security law
Hong Kong's Tong Ying-kit upon his arrival in one of the courts of the former British colony on July 6, 2021. AP - Vincent Yu
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3 min
A Hong Kong man was sentenced on Tuesday July 27 for terrorism and incitement to secession in the first trial under the drastic national security law that Beijing imposed on the former British colony.
This decision sets a legal precedent, confirming that certain political slogans are now outlawed in the territory which is supposed to enjoy freedoms unknown in the rest of China.
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Tong Ying-kit is a 24-year-old former waiter.
He had been charged with secession and terrorism for having darkened on a motorcycle on three police officers on July 1, 2020, the day the law on national security came into force.
His crime?
Have raised a flag that read: "
Free Hong Kong, the revolution of our time
."
This formula had established itself as the main slogan of the immense popular mobilization of 2019.
Tong was found guilty on Tuesday by a panel of three judges who ruled that the flag he was waving contained a slogan "
capable of inciting others to commit an act of secession
", and was therefore illegal.
His sentence will be pronounced at a later date.
He faces life imprisonment.
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See also: Hong Kong: one year after the national security law, a drastic drop in freedoms
Trial without jury
In addition, his
trial
, which lasted two weeks, broke with legal tradition.
It took place without a jury and the three magistrates were chosen by the Hong Kong executive to judge cases relating to national security.
Regarding the indictment for terrorism, the magistrates considered that the facts were established because by rushing on the police, the accused had "
seriously endangered public security
".
►
To read also: Hong Kong: seven men sentenced for the attack on pro-democracy activists in 2019
Bail refused
More than 60 people have been charged under the National Security Law, which has emerged as the main tool in China's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement.
Among those prosecuted under this draconian text, there is in particular the media mogul Jimmy Lai, ex-boss of
Apple Daily,
a pro-democracy newspaper who disappeared since June 24
.
Most have been denied bail and are awaiting trial behind bars.
►
To listen: Hong Kong: how far will the repression go?
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