Hong Kong is the first person to stand trial for alleged violations of the security law passed in June last year was introduced. That law ended more than a year of mass protests against Beijing’s growing influence in Britain’s former crown colony.
The 24-year-old Tong Ying Kit was arrested a day after the law was introduced, because he had run into a group of police officers with a motorcycle during a demonstration in 2019. Three officers were injured.
Tong carried a flag with the slogan: “Free Hong Kong, the revolution of our time”. That slogan was often heard during demonstrations for democratic reforms.
Tong has been charged with dangerous driving, as well as terrorism and inciting Hong Kong to secede from China. He denies being guilty.
Lifetime
Tong can face up to seven years in prison for dangerous driving. For the matters that fall under the national security law, that has to be waited out.
“This is the first case that occurs,” correspondent Sjoerd den Daas said in the newspaper NOS Radio 1 News. “But in the worst case, he could really get a life sentence.”
At least 100 people arrested under the new law are still awaiting trial. “Among them are protesters, pro-democracy activists and media figures such as the founder of the Apple Daily newspaper. Jimmy Lai, the editor-in-chief and journalists from that newspaper.
Columnist
“This morning a columnist was also added,” said Den Daas. “A 55-year-old man who wrote pieces under the name Li Ping. He is suspected of ‘conspiracy with foreign forces’. That is a violation of the security law, but a very vaguely defined violation.”
Yesterday it was announced that the Apple Daily is almost bankrupt, because the bank balances have also been seized. The last issue will be released this week. The newspaper may still exist online.
–
