2024-08-07

In-media – A 27-year-old unemployed man was involved in an incident on the fifth anniversary of June 12, wearing clothing with the phrase “Free Hong Kong. Revolution Now” and a yellow mask marked “FDNOL.” He was wandering near Shek Mun MTR station and was previously charged under the National Security Law with the “new incitement offense” and vagrancy, among others. The case was brought before the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts again today (7th). The defense indicated that the defendant plans to plead guilty to the “new incitement offense” but still needs time to discuss the details of the case and the handling of the other two charges with the prosecution, thus applying for a postponement. The judge designated under the National Security Law, Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak, adjourned the case until September 16 for further hearing. The man must continue to be detained.

The defendant, Chu Kai-pong (27 years old, reported as unemployed), is charged with one count of “committing one or more acts with an intent to incite,” violating Section 24(1)(a)(i) of the National Security Law. He is also charged with “failing to comply with a request to produce identification for inspection” and “wandering with intent.” He is represented by barrister Kwan Man-wai today.

The charge alleges that on June 12, 2024, in Hong Kong, the defendant committed one or more acts with the intent to incite, specifically by wearing a shirt and a mask bearing statements, and publicly displaying such statements, with the intention to:

(a) an intention to bring a Chinese citizen, Hong Kong permanent resident or a person in the HKSAR into hatred, contempt or disaffection against the following system or institution

(b) an intention to bring a Chinese citizen, Hong Kong permanent resident or a person in the HKSAR into hatred, contempt or disaffection against the constitutional order, executive, legislative or judicial authority of the HKSAR;

(c) an intention to incite any person to attempt to procure the alteration, otherwise than by lawful means, of— (i) any matter established in accordance with the law by the Central Authorities in relation to the HKSAR; or (ii) any matter established in accordance with the law in the HKSAR;

The other two charges accuse the defendant of failing to comply with a police officer’s request to produce identification for inspection on June 12, 2024, near Shek Mun MTR station, and of loitering in the aforementioned public place with the intent to commit an arrestable offense.