Hong Kong Man Guilty of Sedition Over Protest T-Shirt

A Hong Kong man, Chu Kai-pong, pleaded guilty to sedition for wearing a protest slogan T-shirt under the city's national security law. His arrest marks the first conviction since the law's March amendment, with potential sentences ranging from seven to 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday.

In a landmark case under Hong Kong's new national security law, 27-year-old Chu Kai-pong pleaded guilty to sedition for wearing a T-shirt with a protest slogan.

The court heard that Chu was arrested on June 12 at an MTR station for sporting a T-shirt with the slogan "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" and a yellow mask bearing "FDNOL."

Chief Magistrate Victor So, appointed by the city leader to oversee national security cases, deferred sentencing to Thursday. The new law, enacted in 2020 and amended in March, carries penalties of up to 10 years for related offences.

(With inputs from agencies.)