A 57-year-old handyman has been denied bail after being arrested and charged by national security police for publishing over 100 seditious posts on social media, including calling the Hong Kong administration a dictatorship.
No plea was taken but national security judge, West Kowloon court chief magistrate Victor So Wai-tak, denied him bail. Chow was remanded until his next court appearance on December 30.
"The postings included publishing statements, photos, pictures and/or videos to incite hatred, contempt or disaffection against the fundamental system of the state, or constitutional order, executive, legislative or judicial authority," the prosecution said.
"The postings also incited people to procure the alteration other than lawful means of matters established in accordance with the law, or not to comply with the law or order issued under the law of the SAR," the prosecution added.It is understood that the content included the administration being a "dictatorship," "hatred against the Chinese Communist Party," "Taiwan independence" and "revolution."
To further investigate information collected from Chow's tablet computer and mobile phone, the court adjourned the case to December 30, with more charges expected against him.Defense counsel barrister Jacky Jim Chun-ki filed for bail but senior public prosecutor Vincent Lee Ting-wai objected. After hearing their arguments, So rejected the bail application.
Police issued a statement to remind Hongkongers that publishing seditious posts is a serious crime."Offenders shall be liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction. Members of the public are urged not to defy the law," the force said.
michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com
