Hong Kong: first conviction under national security law

Published on : 07/30/2021 – 10:50

24-year-old Hong Kong waiter, Tong Ying-kit was sentenced on Friday, July 30, to nine years in prison after the first trial in Hong Kong under the national security law imposed by Beijing.

The young man was found guilty on Tuesday of terrorism for having charged three policemen on a motorcycle, but also of secession because he was waving a flag on which was inscribed “Free Hong Kong, the revolution of our time”. The formula had emerged as the main slogan of the huge popular mobilization of 2019. The events took place on July 1, 2020, the day the national security law entered into force.

The three-judge panel ruled that the flag it was waving contained a slogan “capable of inciting others to commit an act of secession” – and was, therefore, illegal.

Tong Ying-kit was sentenced to eight years for terrorism and six and a half years for inciting secession. Considering that the two sentences could be partially commuted, the magistrates finally imposed nine years of imprisonment.

60 people charged

The two-week trial was held without a jury, which marks a real break with Hong Kong legal tradition. The three magistrates had been chosen by the Hong Kong executive to judge cases relating to national security.

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 is the media mogul Jimmy Lai, former boss of the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, who has now disappeared. Most have been denied bail and are awaiting trial behind bars.

With AFP