World News – California – First person accused under Hong Kong’s National Security Act pleads not guilty

HONG KONG • The first person to be charged under the Comprehensive Security Act that China imposed on Hong Kong earlier this year has pleaded not guilty, the historic trial stage in the coming months.

Tong Ying-kit, 24, filed the petition for inciting secession and engaging in terrorist activities during his appearance yesterday at West Kowloon Partial Court. Chief Justice Soo Wai-Tak Tung kept his case in custody and referred his case to the Supreme Court for trial.

The case is being watched closely for evidence of how the government intends to deal with the National Security Act, which lawyers say contains provisions that may conflict with existing legal traditions on common law in Hong Kong.

The independent city courts and the rule of law – preserved under one country, two systems – are often credited with their continued success as one of the leading financial capitals of the world.

The G7 accused China of violating the terms of the handover agreement with Britain by imposing a security law on Hong Kong, while the United States canceled many of the special concessions granted to the city and imposed sanctions on more than a dozen of the top officials overseeing it.. Region.

The Trump administration is planning further measures to punish Beijing for its actions in Hong Kong in the coming weeks, according to a senior administration official.. .

Tung, a local waiter, was among several people arrested in connection with the July 1 protests against the legislation, which was handed over the previous night without interference from the local legislature..

He is accused of driving a motorbike among a group of police officers, while displaying a sign that reads « Free Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Time », a slogan of a popular protest banned by the authorities under the Security Act.

The defendant is the only person out of 23 so far arrested under the law for having committed a violent act, despite another being accused of possessing knives and a paintball gun.. Most other cases include allegations of chanting slogans, waiving banners, or posting materials on the Internet that are considered separatist.

Tung has been detained since 6 July when he was charged with inciting secession and engaging in terrorism. In August, the Supreme Court rejected a request by Tung to declare his detention unlawful.

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Law, Hong Kong