First trial under Hong Kong’s national security law under way
Al Jazeera
Tong Ying-kit is accused of ‘secession’ for riding a motorbike into a group of police officers.
Tong Ying-kit, the first person charged under Hong Kong’s year-old National Security Law, went on trial on Wednesday, accused of “secession” and “terrorism” for riding a motorbike carrying a flag that called for the Chinese territory’s liberation into a group of police officers. If found guilty, 24-year-old Tong could face a life sentence. He is also accused of dangerous driving. The trial, before three judges and without a jury, is the first under the legislation that China imposed last year after months of protests in 2019. Authorities in Hong Kong and China argued the broadly-worded law was necessary to restore stability to Hong Kong after some of the demonstrations turned violent and was likely only be applied in a tiny number of cases.More Related News