National security law: ‘Liberate Hong Kong’ slogan implied objective of overthrowing Beijing, prosecutors argue as trial begins

Tong Ying-kit, 24, also intended to cause serious harm by ramming his motorcycle through group of police officers, High Court hears

City’s first trial under the security legislation is being conducted without a jury after the Court of Appeal rejected the defendant’s challenge of that decision

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National security law defendant Tong Ying-kit arrives at the High Court on Wednesday. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 2:30pm, 23 Jun 2021Updated: 12:00am, 24 Jun 2021

A popular chant during Hong Kong’s 2019 anti-government protests had the effect of inciting separatism, as it implied an objective of overthrowing Beijing and recovering the city from “enemy hands”, prosecutors argued on Wednesday as the first trial under the national security law got under way.

Tong Ying-kit, 24, faces secession and terrorism charges for allegedly driving a motorcycle into three police officers while carrying a flag that called for the city’s liberation on July 1 last year. He faces life in prison if convicted.

The High Court heard the defendant intended to display the flag, emblazoned with the words “Liberate Hong Kong; revolution of our times”, in high-profile fashion in a bid to attract media attention that afternoon and encourage others to break the law, which Beijing had imposed only the night before.

Tong Ying-kit, 24, faces secession and terrorism charges under the national security law. Photo: Cable TV

Tong also aimed to cause serious harm to society by ramming his way through multiple police roadblocks and inflicting grave injuries on officers to further his political agenda, prosecutor Anthony Chau Tin-hang said in his opening statement.

Tong also faces a third charge of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, which serves as an alternative charge to the terrorism offence.