A Hong Kong radio host was indicted on Monday February 8 with sedition under a law dating from the British colonial era that authorities have started to enforce to end any dissent.
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Agents from the National Security Department arrested Wan Yiu-sing, 52, for "
seditious intent
," according to a police statement.
The authorities did not disclose what Wan Yiu-sing said or what would fall under this law.
Known as DJ "Giggs", he hosted shows devoted to pro-democracy protests and appealed for donations to support young Hong Kongers who fled to Taiwan.
The Hong Kong law invoked is different from the draconian national security law imposed in June by Beijing to end the protest movement.
Dating from the colonial era, it remained in effect after Hong Kong's handover to China in 1997 but was not used in the territory, which enjoys political freedoms unknown in mainland China.
After the huge and often violent pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019, prosecutors brought out this law.
In September, it had been used for the first time since 1997 against another radio host and pro-democracy activist, Tam Tak-chi.
Currently on bail, he is awaiting trial.
Prosecutors believe that pro-democracy movement slogans like "
Free Hong Kong
", "
Dismantle the police force
" are seditious.
Tam's trial will provide insight into how sedition fits within the framework of freedoms of speech allegedly guaranteed by Hong Kong's mini-constitution and bill of rights.
The National Security Law has brought about an unprecedented setback in the freedoms previously enjoyed by Hong Kong people.
It put an end to the demonstrations and its very vague wording allows for the continued expression of certain opinions, such as advocating greater autonomy.
