Hong Kong: First verdict after controversial security law

The vague and controversial security law in Hong Kong has been in place for over a year.

A first judgment demonstrates the harshness with which the judiciary in China's Special Administrative Region wants to implement the law.

Hong Kong - For the first time, a Hong Kong court has passed a judgment under the controversial security law.

A 24-year-old man was sentenced in China's Special Administrative Region for terrorism and incitement to separatism.

Just a few hours after the law came into force on July 1 of last year, he drove his motorcycle into a police cordon during protests.

He carried a flag with the slogan of the protest movement "Liberate Hong Kong - Revolution of Our Time".

Initially, the guilty verdict did not impose any sentence.

However, the 24-year-old faces life imprisonment, as the Hong Kong broadcaster RTHK reported.

In particular, the interpretation of the slogan about the liberation of Hong Kong took up a large part of the process and is likely to have far-reaching consequences for further court proceedings under the Security Act.

More than 100 people have so far been arrested on the basis of the law.

The judge found that the appeal “Free Hong Kong” had separatist significance and could encourage others to pursue a secession of the former British crown colony from the People's Republic of China. “We have no problem coming to the firm conclusion that the slogan on July 1, 2020 was able to convey the meaning of separating the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from the People's Republic and was able to call on others to pursue a secession. "

The incident occurred during unauthorized protests on the anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China in 1997, which the judge specifically pointed out to support the allegation of separatism.

By showing the flag with the appeal that day, the defendant wanted to convey the separatist message and instigate others.

The terrorism charge came because the 24-year-old did not stop at the barrier with his motorcycle, but drove into three police officers and injured them.

The judge saw a premeditated act of violence and a serious threat to public safety.

The defense, however, spoke of an accident and argued that the slogan on the flag was ambiguous.

The enactment of the controversial security law over a year ago sparked violent protests in Hong Kong and around the world.

Beijing passed the law after sustained protests in the Chinese Special Administrative Region and calls for more democracy.

It is vaguely directed against activities seen as subversive, separatist, terrorist, or conspiratorial.

Since then, it has served the authorities to take massive action against the democracy movement in Hong Kong.

According to the agreements for the change of sovereignty to China in 1997, the seven million Hong Kong residents should actually enjoy extensive autonomy and political freedom.

The long-standing principle of “one country, two systems” has been replaced by “one country, one system” from the point of view of critics with the Security Act.

dpa