Chu Kai-pong becomes the first person convicted under Hong Kong’s new national security law after pleading guilty to sedition for wearing a protest T-shirt. Sentencing is set for Thursday.
BollywoodFever: A Hong Kong man, Chu Kai-pong, pleaded guilty to sedition on Monday for wearing a T-shirt with a protest slogan, marking the first conviction under the city’s new national security law, which came into effect in March. The 27-year-old admitted to one count of “doing with a seditious intention an act.”
Under the updated law, penalties for sedition have increased, with the maximum sentence now raised from two years to seven years in prison.
The punishment could extend to 10 years if “collusion with foreign forces” is involved. Chu was arrested on June 12 at a subway station for wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” and a yellow mask printed with “FDNOL” — shorthand for another protest chant, “five demands, not one less.
These slogans were widely used during the pro-democracy protests of 2019, and June 12 was a significant day in the movement. Chu admitted to police that he wore the T-shirt to remind people of the protests, as revealed in court.
Chief Magistrate Victor So, appointed by Hong Kong’s leader John Lee to handle national security cases, postponed the sentencing to Thursday.
Hong Kong was handed back to China from British rule in 1997, with Beijing promising to protect freedoms, including speech, under the “one country, two systems” principle.
However, in 2020, China imposed a national security law to address issues of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, carrying penalties of up to life imprisonment.
In March 2024, Hong Kong passed a second security law, often referred to as “Article 23,” to close gaps in the original law.
Critics, including the U.S. government, have expressed concern that the vague language around “sedition” could be used to stifle dissent.
Hong Kong and Chinese authorities argue that the new measures are necessary to strengthen national security.
Also Read Other Articles, Shots Fired Near Donald Trump’s Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Trump Confirmed Safe
Police Investigate Discovery of Human Remains at Dukinfield Cemetery in Greater Manchester
California Woman Wins $5.6M Settlement After Traumatic Cavity Search During Prison Visit
Indiana Woman Drowns Trying to Save Girlfriend from Riptide During Puerto Rico Getaway
Teen Driver Accused of Killing Groom in Hit-and-Run Arrested at Canadian Border
