Hong Kong Court Sentenced First Defendant Under Chinese Security Law: Charged With “Terrorist”

Hong Kong man was sentenced on Tuesday for terrorism and incitement to secession, in the first lawsuit filed under the controversy Beijing regime imposed national security law in this former British colony.

Three judges convicted Tong Ying-kit, a 24-year-old former waiter, believing he was holding a banner with a message “Capable of inciting others to commit an act of secession” and so it was illegal.

The young man was accused of beating police during a demonstration on July 1 last year and carry a flag with the slogan “Free Hong Kong, the revolution of our time”, very popular in the demonstrations.

When he crashes his motorbike against the officers “He seriously endangered public safety”, ensures the verdict by justifying the conviction for terrorism. “We condemn the accused on both counts.”said Judge Esther Toh.

Tong Ying-kit, who had pleaded not guilty and was now liable to life imprisonment, You will learn later the sanction imposed for these events, which occurred a day after the enactment of the National Security Law for Hong Kong.

The 15-day trial took place without a jury, a change in the legal tradition of the financial center. The three failed judges were appointed by local authorities to prosecute national security crimes.

More than 60 people have been charged under this law, including some of the most renowned pro-democracy activists such as Jimmy lai, owner of the closed daily Apple Daily. Most are awaiting trial in prison.

Convergence with China

Analysts consider that Tuesday’s decision shows that the justice of this semi-autonomous city interprets the security law broadly, on the mainland China line, more authoritative.

“The whole system, from administration to law enforcement and justice, has reached an alignment “said to AFP Eric Lai, Hong Kong legal system expert at Georgetown Law School.

Surya Deva of the City University of Hong Kong School of Law found that “All legal institutions and processes will be oriented to achieve predetermined results” in matters of national security.

In mainland China, opaque courts respond to ruling Communist Party and punishment is practically assured in political or national security matters.

Hong Kong has its own legal system, internationally recognized and which is the basis of its status as a financial center.

During the trial, defense experts assured that the flag’s motto had multiple meanings, according to the people: from a demand for independence to others more democratic and to police responsibility.

For the prosecution, on the other hand, it had clear separatist overtones and Tong’s decision to run over his motorcycle in the police met the definition of terrorism of the new law.

His case was unusual, for he is one of the few people arrested under this law for an act of violence. Most of those awaiting trial have been arrested for expressing political views that authorities now consider illegal.

Pro-democracy activists and many western countries say security law changes Hong Kong like China. Beijing says it was necessary to restore stability after the 2019 protests.

Since, This legislation radically transformed the political and legal landscape of the city, to which China promised it could maintain key freedoms and autonomy after British rule ended in 1997.

(With information from AFP)

KEEP READING: