⚖️ On Monday, the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) found media tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty of two counts of conspiring to collude with external forces and one count of publishing seditious materials.
After a careful review of evidence, the court concluded that Lai used his media platform to incite hatred against the Central Government of China and the HKSAR Government. Documents showed he also sought foreign sanctions on officials in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong.
This decisive verdict shows that Hong Kong's independent judiciary and its unique legal framework, protected by the Basic Law, remain robust. Actions threatening social stability and national security are dealt with through proper legal channels.
The court's ruling follows the violent 2019 protests, when unauthorized assemblies turned peaceful streets into scenes of unrest. Rioters besieged government buildings, vandalized public facilities and endangered residents with petrol bombs. Lai's words and deeds crossed the line from free speech into sedition.
The message is clear: freedom comes with responsibility, and the rule of law must be safeguarded to keep Hong Kong safe and stable for all residents. 👍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
