Hong Kong protester sentenced to 9 years in prison in first case under China's national security law
By Haley Ott
July 30, 2021 / 5:28 AM
/ CBS News
A Hong Kong man who was the first person charged under China's new "National Security Law" has been sentenced to 9 years in prison.
24-year-old Tong Ying-kit was found guilty earlier this week of inciting secession and terrorism. He was charged under the controversial new "National Security Law" after he ran into police on a motorbike while carrying a flag with a protest slogan during pro-democracy demonstrations.
His case could set a precedent for similar verdicts to be issued for more than 60 other pro-democracy activists who have been arrested since the law took effect, including former politicians, lawyers, health workers, union leaders and a journalist, who have been critical of Hong Kong's government and, by extension, China's leaders.