2nd person found guilty under Hong Kong security law for chanting pro-democracy slogans – National

Hong Kong has convicted a second individual underneath its sweeping nationwide safety legislation for chanting pro-independence slogans, amid a political crackdown within the metropolis.

Ma Chun-man was convicted of inciting secession on Monday after he was discovered to have chanted slogans reminiscent of “Hong Kong independence, the one approach out” on 20 events between August and November of final 12 months.

Critics in Hong Kong say the Nationwide Safety Regulation erodes freedoms, reminiscent of these of expression and meeting, that have been promised to the town for 50 years when the previous British colony was handed over to China in 1997.

Ma is the second individual to be convicted underneath the brand new legislation, which outlaws what authorities describe as secession, subversion of state energy, terrorism and overseas collusion in intervening in Hong Kong’s affairs.

Ma had been arrested a number of occasions for chanting such slogans earlier than being remanded in custody.

Sentencing for Ma was adjourned to Nov. 11, and he faces as much as seven years in jail.

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Tong Ying-kit, the primary individual to be convicted underneath the nationwide safety legislation, was jailed for 9 years for inciting secession and terrorism after he drove his motorbike into a bunch of law enforcement officials final July whereas bearing a flag with the banned slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our occasions.”

The vast majority of the town’s distinguished pro-democracy activists have been arrested for collaborating in unauthorized assemblies, and dozens of political organizations and commerce unions have ceased operation out of concern for his or her members’ security underneath the safety legislation.

Over 120 individuals have been arrested underneath the safety legislation because it was carried out final June.