Editorial : Red lines set in first HKNSL conviction
文章日期:2021年7月29日

【明報專訊】The High Court has delivered a ruling on the city's first-ever trial under the Hong Kong National Security Law (HKNSL). Defendant Tong Ying-kit has been convicted of one count of incitement to secession and one count of terrorist activities. The legal red lines concerning the "four major offences'' covered by the HKNSL have been a concern. In the ruling for Tong's case, the High Court has defined and explained whether the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of Our Times" (Slogan) contains the meaning of advocating "Hong Kong Independence" as well as the elements of offences in relation to "incitement" and "terrorist activities''. As a legal precedent, the ruling has a landmark meaning with an important influence on future law enforcement and the administration of justice. Looking back at the atmosphere on the street on the day when the defendant committed the offences, one may remember that some people "cheered" on Tong for his acts, which was in effect adding fuel to the flames and encouraging others to challenge the HKNSL. In an old Chinese fable, a horse dies after running too fast for too long but its actual killers are those who have cheered by the roadside for the horse and its rider. The serious legal consequences faced by Tong are also a hard lesson for our society.

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