The Police College today (Sept. 12) held a passing-out parade, marking the completion of training for 17 probationary inspectors and 110 police constables, who formally embarked on their policing duties. Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming met the media after the parade to respond to the sentencing in the "Hong Kong Alliance" inciting subversion of state power case.
Chow stated that the defendants may lodge appeals, which is their legal right. The exhibits have not yet been formally dealt with in the legal proceedings, and he believed the court would handle them appropriately. Regarding public activities, he noted that all public activities in Hong Kong should be notified to the police in accordance with the Public Order Ordinance, and the police would conduct risk assessments based on various factors, including national security, public safety, public order, and the rights of other citizens, which could not be generalised.
He said that following the conclusion of major national security cases, the social atmosphere has become more peaceful, but national security risks have not disappeared. He mentioned that on the evening of August 31, someone stood outside Prince Edward MTR Station holding flowers and shouted inciting slogans. He stressed that there are still people with ulterior motives lurking, making unreasonable smears. Safeguarding national security is not solely the responsibility of the police force; it requires citizens to report promptly.
When asked by a reporter what the difference is between national security now and before, and what forms of conduct could constitute a breach of national security, he responded that the procedures for applying for public activities have not changed for many years, and have always been handled in accordance with the Public Order Ordinance, with elements of the National Security Law in Hong Kong incorporated for overall consideration. There is no so-called "red line." He once again stressed that the current social atmosphere is stable, but national security risks have not disappeared, and a small number of lawbreakers are still lurking with intent to incite.
Someone stood outside Prince Edward MTR Station on the evening of August 31 holding flowers and shouting inciting slogans. The National Security Department of the Police Force took enforcement action on September 3 in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, arresting three persons suspected of violating section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, namely the offence of "doing an act with an inciting intent.
The now-disbanded anti-China organisation "Hong Kong Alliance" and its three leaders Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung were convicted by the court of inciting subversion of state power. The case was sentenced yesterday (Sept. 11) at 10 a.m. at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts (acting as the High Court). The "Hong Kong Alliance" was fined HK$1.5 million, payable within three months; Lee Cheuk-yan was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment; Ho Chun-yan, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 5 years and 2 months' imprisonment; and Chow Hang-tung was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months' imprisonment.
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