Woman arrested upon return from Japan pleads guilty to seditious intent

A 23-year-old woman was arrested upon her return from Japan and has been released on bail after pleading guilty to acting with seditious intent over 13 social media posts that advocated for Hong Kong's independence. 

The defendant Yuen Ching-ting was a student in Japan. Her arrest came in March as she returned to Hong Kong to renew her identity card. 

The charge accused Yuen of publishing 13 posts on social media platforms including Facebook and Instagram inciting hatred and contempt towards the SAR Government and Central Government between September 7, 2018, and March 8. 

Yuen appeared before Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak at the West Kowloon Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty. 

In mitigation, the defense said 10 of the posts were published when the national security law had not yet come into effect and Yuen's actions at that time were not illegal. 

The defense also called on the court to hand down a fine or a suspended sentence. 

Yet, Judge So noted that he was open to all punishment options, especially imprisonment. So then adjourned the case to November 3 for sentencing and granted Yuen bail.