Journalists wait in West Kowloon magistrate courts in Hong Kong, China (Reuters)
Hong Kong:
Hong Kong court on Monday denied bail to first person accused of inciting separatism and terrorism under the city’s new national security law after carrying a sign saying “Free Hong Kong “and drives his motorcycle to the police.
Tong Ying-kit, 23, was arrested after a video posted online showed him toppling several officers during a demonstration last Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Beijing imposed sweeping national security legislation on his freest city.
The city government has declared that the protest slogan “Free Hong Kong, revolution of our time”, evokes separatism or subversion under the new law, fueling concern over freedom of expression in the old British colony.
Tong, who was unable to attend court on Friday while being treated at the hospital for injuries sustained in the incident, appeared before the court in a wheelchair.
In rejecting bail, Chief Justice So Wai-tak referred to section 42 of the new law, which states that bail will not be granted if the judge has sufficient grounds to believe that the accused will continue to threaten national security.
The case was adjourned until October 6 and Tong was placed in pre-trial detention.
Critics say the law – which punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, up to life imprisonment – aims to crush dissent and wage a long-term campaign for greater democracy.
Authorities in Beijing and Hong Kong have repeatedly stated that it is targeting some “troublemakers” and will not affect the rights and freedoms that underpin the city’s role as a financial hub.
Also on Monday, a prominent democracy activist Joshua Wong pleaded not guilty to inciting others to participate in an illegal assembly during anti-government protests last year.
Activist Agnes Chow pleaded guilty to a similar charge. Their case was adjourned to August 5.
Wong and Chow, both of whom obtained bail last year, led a pro-democracy group called Demosisto which they dissolved hours after Beijing passed the national security law.
The United States, Britain and others have denounced the new legislation, which critics say is the biggest step China has taken to tighten its grip on the city, despite a “one country,” two systems “intended to preserve his freedoms.
(Reporting by Jessie Pang and Pak Yiu; Writing by Anne Marie Roantree; Edition by Robert Birsel; Edition by Robert Birsel)
(This story has not been edited by GalacticGaming staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
