Hong Kong Man Faces Sentencing Under National Security Law After Pleading Guilty to Sedition

Sponsored Ad

Chu Kai-pong, 27, faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to sedition charges under Hong Kong's national security law. He is the first person convicted under the law, which was enacted in March 2023.

Chu was arrested on June 12 at a train station while wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" and a mask with the phrase "five demands, not one less," a slogan used in the 2019 protests. His arrest occurred on a date connected to those protests.

The charge against Chu, “doing acts with seditious intent,” previously carried a maximum sentence of two years under older laws. However, under the revised national security law, the sentence for sedition can be extended to seven years. If it is determined that the individual colluded with foreign forces, the sentence could increase to 10 years.

The national security law was enacted after the protests in 2019. It covers offenses such as treason, insurrection, and external interference. As of August 2024, 301 people had been arrested under the national security laws, with 176 prosecuted and 157 convicted.