Categories: World

Man is first to stand trial under Hong Kong’s security law

HONG KONG: A man accused of driving a motorcycle into police officers while carrying a Hong Kong protest flag became on Wednesday the first person to stand trial under the national security law implemented last year as China’s central government tightened control over the city.
Tong Ying-kit was arrested on July 1, 2020, a day after the national security law took effect, for allegedly inciting session by driving into the crowd of officers while bearing a flag with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times.” Several officers were knocked over and three sustained injuries.
The slogan was often chanted during anti-government demonstrations in 2019 by protesters demanding broader democratic freedoms.
China responded to the protests with a number of measures suppressing dissent, including the national security law, which criminalizes subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign collusion endangering national security.
A number of protest leaders and other activists have been charged under the law.
The security law makes calls for Hong Kong independence illegal, and a government notice last July said the “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times” slogan connotes a call for independence and subversion of state power.
A court ruled last month that Tong will stand trial without a jury, a diversion from Hong Kong’s common law traditions.
Under the national security law, a panel of three judges can replace jurors and the city’s leader has the power to designate judges to hear such cases.
The law carries a maximum penalty of life in prison for serious offenders.
Tong is standing trial at the High Court, where sentences are not capped.

news2in

Share
Published by
news2in

Recent Posts

44 ordered to attack the procession

Ludhiana: The police have submitted FIR to four identified and at least 40 unknown attackers…

3 years ago

Punjab: Police Reject conspiracy theory in the case of Deep Sidhu

Sonīpat / Ludhiana / Ambala: Actor Punjabi - Activist Activist Deep Sidhu, who died in…

3 years ago

Punjab: Hidden Strength Working Behind PM Narendra Modi, Arvind Kejriwal, said Rahul Gandhi

PATIALA / MANSA / BARNALA: Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and AAP National Convener Kejriawal,…

3 years ago

BJP made AAP to endanger the Congress, said Ajay

Jalandhar: BJP and AAM AAM AADMI parties are one party, Secretary General of the Ajay…

3 years ago

Our job is to make Punjab No. 1 State: Meenakshi Lekhi

Ludhiana: Minister of Union Culture Meenakshi Lekhi while campaigning to support the BJP candidate from…

3 years ago

Feb 20 is an opportunity to change the destiny of Punjab and his children: Bhagwant Mann

Machhiwara (Ludhiana): AAM AAM AADMI Party (AAP) Head of Punjab Candidate and Members of Parliament…

3 years ago