Hong Kong nat. security police charge man over ‘seditious’ posts 3 months after unannounced arrest
Hong Kong national security police have charged a man for allegedly making “seditious” online posts, revealing the case nearly three months after his unannounced arrest. The police National Security Department said on Friday that a 52-year-old man was charged on Wednesday with “knowingly publishing publications that had a seditious intention,” in violation of the Safeguarding […]
The Hong Kong national security police have charged a 52-year-old man with allegedly posting "seditious" content online, nearly three months after his unannounced arrest. The man, identified as Law Yiu-fai, appeared before West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday and faces charges under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, also known as Article 23.
Police allege that he repeatedly posted content that incited hatred towards Beijing, the Hong Kong government, and the judiciary on social media platforms. The maximum penalty for this offense is seven years in prison. Law's arrest was initially undisclosed to the public until his formal charge was made. This case marks the second in recent months to come to light following a charge, rather than an initial announcement of the arrest.
The Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, enacted in March 2024, targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets, and espionage, with provisions for pre-charge detention and restricted access to legal representation. Rights groups and international organizations have criticized the law for its vague and potentially repressive nature.
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