Hong Kong’s top court upholds sedition conviction for ‘Fast Beat’ Tam Tak-chi
Hong Kong's highest court has upheld the sedition conviction of opposition activist Tam Tak-chi, confirming that intent to incite violence isn't necessary for a conviction under the colonial-era law. The Court of Final Appeal rejected Tam's argument that prosecutors must prove intent to incite violence or public disorder. The court clarified that the law includes other seditious intentions, such as inciting hatred towards authorities or disobeying lawful orders.
Tam, known as "Fast Beat," was sentenced to 40 months in 2022 on 11 charges related to his conduct during public gatherings after the 2019 protests. While the top court previously allowed Tam one last appeal on technical grounds, it had also ruled that the sedition law struck a fair balance between free speech and protecting national security. This latest ruling reinforces the government's ability to prosecute sedition cases even without proving direct incitement of violence.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
Hong Kong's highest court has upheld the sedition conviction of opposition activist Tam Tak-chi, confirming that intent to incite violence isn't necessary for a conviction under the colonial-era law. The Court of Final Appeal rejected Tam's argument that prosecutors must prove intent to incite violence or public disorder. The court clarified that the law includes other seditious intentions, such as inciting hatred towards authorities or disobeying lawful orders.
Tam, known as "Fast Beat," was sentenced to 40 months in 2022 on 11 charges related to his conduct during public gatherings after the 2019 protests. While the top court previously allowed Tam one last appeal on technical grounds, it had also ruled that the sedition law struck a fair balance between free speech and protecting national security. This latest ruling reinforces the government's ability to prosecute sedition cases even without proving direct incitement of violence.
via SCMP Full Text Feed
