#Arrest #PoliticalOppression
Australian-Chinese dual citizen accused of violating National Security Law
HK authorities : No obligation to grant consular visitation to dual nationals
On February 8, Australian Broadcast Company (#ABC) quoted the federal government that an Australian-Chinese man was charged under the National Security Law (#NSL).
Although the authorities did not reveal his identity, a spokesperson at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (#DFAT) indicated that the defendant was arrested on Jan 6, 2021, for "conspiring to subvert state power".
He was released on bail the next day but was then re-arrested on March 1 when attending court, and charged with "subversion".
With reference to the date of arrest and the accusation, the man is said to be one of the #47Democrats, Gordon Ng (#吳政亨).
Yet, ABC cannot confirm whether the defendant mentioned by DFAT is Gordon Ng.
DFAT has also revealed that Australian officials have been repeatedly refused consular access to the man, because Hong Kong authorities no longer recognise dual citizenship.
"The Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong was notified by Hong Kong authorities of the arrest of a dual Australian-Chinese citizen under its National Security Law in January 2021," a DFAT spokesperson said.
The report continued that the Hong Kong Security Bureau declined to provide any further details about the prosecution, saying that it could not comment on individual cases; and that the Hong Kong government was not obliged to grant consular visitation rights to dual nationals.
Editor’s Note: Gordon Ng is the founder of Legcopetition, a voluntary group for primaries. He is also known as "#Liberal (#李伯盧)" on social media platforms.
#PrimaryElection #Primaries #Legcopetition #Australia #SecurityBureau #GordonNg #NgChingHang
Source: Radio France Asia; #Feb8
Australian-Chinese dual citizen accused of violating National Security Law
HK authorities : No obligation to grant consular visitation to dual nationals
On February 8, Australian Broadcast Company (#ABC) quoted the federal government that an Australian-Chinese man was charged under the National Security Law (#NSL).
Although the authorities did not reveal his identity, a spokesperson at Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (#DFAT) indicated that the defendant was arrested on Jan 6, 2021, for "conspiring to subvert state power".
He was released on bail the next day but was then re-arrested on March 1 when attending court, and charged with "subversion".
With reference to the date of arrest and the accusation, the man is said to be one of the #47Democrats, Gordon Ng (#吳政亨).
Yet, ABC cannot confirm whether the defendant mentioned by DFAT is Gordon Ng.
DFAT has also revealed that Australian officials have been repeatedly refused consular access to the man, because Hong Kong authorities no longer recognise dual citizenship.
"The Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong was notified by Hong Kong authorities of the arrest of a dual Australian-Chinese citizen under its National Security Law in January 2021," a DFAT spokesperson said.
The report continued that the Hong Kong Security Bureau declined to provide any further details about the prosecution, saying that it could not comment on individual cases; and that the Hong Kong government was not obliged to grant consular visitation rights to dual nationals.
Editor’s Note: Gordon Ng is the founder of Legcopetition, a voluntary group for primaries. He is also known as "#Liberal (#李伯盧)" on social media platforms.
#PrimaryElection #Primaries #Legcopetition #Australia #SecurityBureau #GordonNg #NgChingHang
Source: Radio France Asia; #Feb8
Radio Free Asia
【雙重國籍】澳媒證實一名澳、中雙重國籍男子 被港府以《國安法》起訴
一名持有澳大利亞與中國雙重國籍的男子，證實被港府以《港區國安法》起訴。外界分析，該男子為「47人初選案」被告吳政亨。據報港府以不承認雙重國籍為由，拒絕准予外國領事援助。
#PoliticalOppression #Court
#47democrats in Hong Kong detained for almost a year while awaiting trial
Source: InMedia #Feb8
Read more
⬇️⬇️
#47democrats in Hong Kong detained for almost a year while awaiting trial
Source: InMedia #Feb8
Read more
⬇️⬇️
#PoliticalOppression #Court
#47democrats in Hong Kong detained for almost a year while awaiting trial
The national security case involving 47 pro-democracy figures continued its third time hearing on February 8, 2022 in a Hong Kong Court.
The case was again adjourned for next hearing scheduled on February 28, 2022. By then, most of the defendants have remanded in custody for almost one year.
The 47 defendants – including activist #JoshuaWong, former law professor #BennyTai and ex-lawmakers #LamCheukTing, #WuChiWai and #LeungKwokHung – stand accused of taking part in an unofficial primary election in July 2020 with a view to subverting the state power.
Only 14 of the accused democrats are currently on bail pending trial. Others have been in custody for almost one year while they await trial.
#NationalSecurityLaw #NSL #PoliceState #WhiteTerror
Source: InmediaHK, #Feb8
https://bit.ly/3GEDTrc
#47democrats in Hong Kong detained for almost a year while awaiting trial
The national security case involving 47 pro-democracy figures continued its third time hearing on February 8, 2022 in a Hong Kong Court.
The case was again adjourned for next hearing scheduled on February 28, 2022. By then, most of the defendants have remanded in custody for almost one year.
The 47 defendants – including activist #JoshuaWong, former law professor #BennyTai and ex-lawmakers #LamCheukTing, #WuChiWai and #LeungKwokHung – stand accused of taking part in an unofficial primary election in July 2020 with a view to subverting the state power.
Only 14 of the accused democrats are currently on bail pending trial. Others have been in custody for almost one year while they await trial.
#NationalSecurityLaw #NSL #PoliceState #WhiteTerror
Source: InmediaHK, #Feb8
https://bit.ly/3GEDTrc
#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #MassArrest
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants
Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants
Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #MassArrest
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants
47 lawmakers, academia, and activist are being suspected of organising and participating in the primary election in 2020. They are being accused of "conspiring subversion of state".
In the 139-page of case study, it revealed that 5 of the defendants were classified as "major organisers" - #BennyTai, a legal scholar; #AuNokHin, a former legislator; #ChiuKaYin and #ChungKamLun, former district council members; and #GordonNg, an activist.
Among them, only Gordon Ng decided to plea not guilty.
Gordon Ng Concern Group wrote a post on social media after the release of the restrictions on reporting the cases, referring to Ng's perspective that he is "definitely not believing" that he had violated the law, and therefore, "I will face it despite being afraid”.
Ng said that he spent most of his time thinking about whether or not to plead guilty since being charged one and a half years ago. This question "makes him breathless" as his answer would most likely affect the second half of his life, with too many factors to consider.
He mentioned up until now, no defendant under the #NSL case has successfully been acquitted of their charges and described the space for discusiion, as an unknown as it required a lot of human and material resources. He asked, "is there a better way to use the resources spent on me?"
Ng understands that if he pleads guilty, his one-third of his original sentence may be cut. Yet, he is still unsure whether he is classified as a "main person", "with large crime" or "proactive participant". The category can seriously affect his sentence, from under three years to life imprisonment.
In addition, Ng stated that the case caught local and international attention, and as a result, he reflects on whether he has the responsibility to consider the view of civic society. He is an #Australian citizen, and the Australian government once published a statement raising concerns on the case. Therefore, he reflects, "Will my defence statement affect their views on the case?"
Gordon Ng admitted that he had no answer for most of his questions, but a fundamental question struck him - Do you think you had violated the law? "No, I absolutely don't think so. Therefore, I decide not to plead."
There is no way for him to get rid of the unknowns. He can only face it with courage. "I have prepared to fight for myself on the court. That is the largest battle in my life."
[Editor note: Gordon Ng is not a candidate for the election nor represents any political parties or organisations but a passerby on #LIHKG (named Lee Bak Lou, indicating liberal). He was the initiator of #LegCoPetition. It is a petition aimed to quantify people's voices and to call people to vote for the winners in the primary election and not to vote for candidates who do not support, participate or comply with the primary election. This petition puts pressure on candidates to adhere to the election results.]
Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18
https://bit.ly/3Ctdhek
https://bit.ly/3Rb3rSD
Read more about the case:
Jan 6, 2021:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/27802
Feb 28, 2021:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/28799
Mar 1-2, 2021:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/28876
.
"To Plea or Not To Plea guilty" is a queation that suffocates defendants
47 lawmakers, academia, and activist are being suspected of organising and participating in the primary election in 2020. They are being accused of "conspiring subversion of state".
In the 139-page of case study, it revealed that 5 of the defendants were classified as "major organisers" - #BennyTai, a legal scholar; #AuNokHin, a former legislator; #ChiuKaYin and #ChungKamLun, former district council members; and #GordonNg, an activist.
Among them, only Gordon Ng decided to plea not guilty.
Gordon Ng Concern Group wrote a post on social media after the release of the restrictions on reporting the cases, referring to Ng's perspective that he is "definitely not believing" that he had violated the law, and therefore, "I will face it despite being afraid”.
Ng said that he spent most of his time thinking about whether or not to plead guilty since being charged one and a half years ago. This question "makes him breathless" as his answer would most likely affect the second half of his life, with too many factors to consider.
He mentioned up until now, no defendant under the #NSL case has successfully been acquitted of their charges and described the space for discusiion, as an unknown as it required a lot of human and material resources. He asked, "is there a better way to use the resources spent on me?"
Ng understands that if he pleads guilty, his one-third of his original sentence may be cut. Yet, he is still unsure whether he is classified as a "main person", "with large crime" or "proactive participant". The category can seriously affect his sentence, from under three years to life imprisonment.
In addition, Ng stated that the case caught local and international attention, and as a result, he reflects on whether he has the responsibility to consider the view of civic society. He is an #Australian citizen, and the Australian government once published a statement raising concerns on the case. Therefore, he reflects, "Will my defence statement affect their views on the case?"
Gordon Ng admitted that he had no answer for most of his questions, but a fundamental question struck him - Do you think you had violated the law? "No, I absolutely don't think so. Therefore, I decide not to plead."
There is no way for him to get rid of the unknowns. He can only face it with courage. "I have prepared to fight for myself on the court. That is the largest battle in my life."
[Editor note: Gordon Ng is not a candidate for the election nor represents any political parties or organisations but a passerby on #LIHKG (named Lee Bak Lou, indicating liberal). He was the initiator of #LegCoPetition. It is a petition aimed to quantify people's voices and to call people to vote for the winners in the primary election and not to vote for candidates who do not support, participate or comply with the primary election. This petition puts pressure on candidates to adhere to the election results.]
Source: InMedia, GordonNgConcernGroup Facebook Page #Aug18
https://bit.ly/3Ctdhek
https://bit.ly/3Rb3rSD
Read more about the case:
Jan 6, 2021:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/27802
Feb 28, 2021:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/28799
Mar 1-2, 2021:
https://publielectoral.lat/guardiansofhongkong/28876
.
Telegram
📡Guardians of Hong Kong
#Breaking
Benny Tai, Robert Chung, and fifty more Democratics arrested this morning for inciting subversion of state power through arranging ‘35+ Primary Election’
#MassArrest #NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Apple Daily, Stand News; #Jan06
Read more…
Benny Tai, Robert Chung, and fifty more Democratics arrested this morning for inciting subversion of state power through arranging ‘35+ Primary Election’
#MassArrest #NationalSecurityLaw
Source: Apple Daily, Stand News; #Jan06
Read more…
#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #SubvertionofStatePower
As the restrictions on reporting got lifted, #Inmedia revealed how 47 democrats in Hong Kong plead guilty in June, 2022.
Source: Inmediahk, #Aug18
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
As the restrictions on reporting got lifted, #Inmedia revealed how 47 democrats in Hong Kong plead guilty in June, 2022.
Source: Inmediahk, #Aug18
Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#47Democrats #PrimaryElection #SubvertionofStatePower
#LawrenceLauWaiChung said, "Not guilty, sir," elegant as usual.
#LamCheukTing almost roared, "I don't plead guilty!"
#LeungKwokHung (a.k.a. #LongHair) said, "[I'm] Innocent. Plead not guilty."
#WinnieYuWaiMing raised her right hand and stated, "Not guilty."
The magistrate, Peter Law Tak Chuen, referred the 17 defendants to the High Court for trial.
The other 29 of them chose to plead guilty. Among them, #TiffanyYuenKaWai, #FrankieFungTatChuen, #CarolNgManYee, #GaryFanKwokWai and #HendickLuiChiHang, refused to agree all facts of the cases.
Everyone has a different way of pleading guilty:
#TiffanyYuen whispered, "Plead ah! (認呀！)."
#FergusLeungFongWai said with a tone of no choice, "Plead guilty lo! (認囉！)."
#FrankieFung said in Cantonese, "I plead guilty," then repeated in Mandarin, "I plead guilty, I know I was wrong,” causing the auditorium to laugh and #KwokKaKi thumbs up with a smile.
#LauChakFung just left his seat for the washroom, and somebody said, "he will plead guilty even in the toilet."
#JoshuaWong slowly spoke out, "Plead~ guilty~."
#LiKaTat shouted, "PG!"
#TamTakChi (a.k.a. #FastBeat) confidently said while brushing his hair, "I am 'handsome'" [Handsome has a similar sound as "plead" in Cantonese]
#WuChiWai followed, "Plead ah! (認呀！)," looking at #TamTakChi, and they both laughed.
#SamCheungHoSum declared, "I plead, I plead, I plead (認啊認啊認啊)" in one go.
#VentusLauWingHong said, "For the love of my country, I plead guilty," raising uproar among defendants.
Law, the magistrate, asked whether the 26 defendants agreed with the case.
#AuNokHin stood up at that moment and expressed heavily, "I confirmed the case, and I would like to apologise to all defendants because I could not ensure the election was legal." He then slightly bowed to the defendants.
#AndrewChiuKaYin also apologized, but expressionless, "I confirm the overall case, and I apologise to everyone who helped in the pre-election." Some defendants jeered, "What are you saying (講呢啲)?"
#TamTakChi (a.k.a #FastBeat) shouted as usual, "I agree with the plot!", followed by a severe facial expression, "I agree, I agree (同意啊、同意啊)," which brought laughter to the courtroom. He then turned around, spoke to #ClaudiaMo, "Yes, excellent!" and raised his arms to the air with thumbs up.
#LeslieShumOFai interrupted, "I am not a comedy actor."
The magistrates confirmed whether Tam agreed with the entire case. He answered, "Yes, then I agree with the full case." Law raises the question once more, "You agree?" "The plot? Yes." Tam replied
It is understood that there will be no jury at the trial. This case will be handled by three designed judges, as in the case of #TongYingKit. It reminds us of #OwenChowKaShing, who did not plead guilty and yelled at the court after the restriction on reporting was lifted, "Trial without a jury is unjust."
This was probably the most potent conclusion in West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for a year and a half.
Source: InMedia #Aug18
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/%E7%A4%BE%E9%81%8B/%E3%80%90%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B847%E4%BA%BA%E6%A1%88%E3%80%91%E8%A8%98%E4%B8%80%E6%AC%A1%E9%95%B7%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%A9%E7%9A%84%E7%AD%94%E8%BE%AF-%E6%9C%89%E4%BA%BA%E8%AA%AA%E7%AC%91%E3%80%81%E6%9C%89%E4%BA%BA%E8%87%B4%E6%AD%89?utm_source=dable
#LawrenceLauWaiChung said, "Not guilty, sir," elegant as usual.
#LamCheukTing almost roared, "I don't plead guilty!"
#LeungKwokHung (a.k.a. #LongHair) said, "[I'm] Innocent. Plead not guilty."
#WinnieYuWaiMing raised her right hand and stated, "Not guilty."
The magistrate, Peter Law Tak Chuen, referred the 17 defendants to the High Court for trial.
The other 29 of them chose to plead guilty. Among them, #TiffanyYuenKaWai, #FrankieFungTatChuen, #CarolNgManYee, #GaryFanKwokWai and #HendickLuiChiHang, refused to agree all facts of the cases.
Everyone has a different way of pleading guilty:
#TiffanyYuen whispered, "Plead ah! (認呀！)."
#FergusLeungFongWai said with a tone of no choice, "Plead guilty lo! (認囉！)."
#FrankieFung said in Cantonese, "I plead guilty," then repeated in Mandarin, "I plead guilty, I know I was wrong,” causing the auditorium to laugh and #KwokKaKi thumbs up with a smile.
#LauChakFung just left his seat for the washroom, and somebody said, "he will plead guilty even in the toilet."
#JoshuaWong slowly spoke out, "Plead~ guilty~."
#LiKaTat shouted, "PG!"
#TamTakChi (a.k.a. #FastBeat) confidently said while brushing his hair, "I am 'handsome'" [Handsome has a similar sound as "plead" in Cantonese]
#WuChiWai followed, "Plead ah! (認呀！)," looking at #TamTakChi, and they both laughed.
#SamCheungHoSum declared, "I plead, I plead, I plead (認啊認啊認啊)" in one go.
#VentusLauWingHong said, "For the love of my country, I plead guilty," raising uproar among defendants.
Law, the magistrate, asked whether the 26 defendants agreed with the case.
#AuNokHin stood up at that moment and expressed heavily, "I confirmed the case, and I would like to apologise to all defendants because I could not ensure the election was legal." He then slightly bowed to the defendants.
#AndrewChiuKaYin also apologized, but expressionless, "I confirm the overall case, and I apologise to everyone who helped in the pre-election." Some defendants jeered, "What are you saying (講呢啲)?"
#TamTakChi (a.k.a #FastBeat) shouted as usual, "I agree with the plot!", followed by a severe facial expression, "I agree, I agree (同意啊、同意啊)," which brought laughter to the courtroom. He then turned around, spoke to #ClaudiaMo, "Yes, excellent!" and raised his arms to the air with thumbs up.
#LeslieShumOFai interrupted, "I am not a comedy actor."
The magistrates confirmed whether Tam agreed with the entire case. He answered, "Yes, then I agree with the full case." Law raises the question once more, "You agree?" "The plot? Yes." Tam replied
It is understood that there will be no jury at the trial. This case will be handled by three designed judges, as in the case of #TongYingKit. It reminds us of #OwenChowKaShing, who did not plead guilty and yelled at the court after the restriction on reporting was lifted, "Trial without a jury is unjust."
This was probably the most potent conclusion in West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for a year and a half.
Source: InMedia #Aug18
https://www.inmediahk.net/node/%E7%A4%BE%E9%81%8B/%E3%80%90%E5%88%9D%E9%81%B847%E4%BA%BA%E6%A1%88%E3%80%91%E8%A8%98%E4%B8%80%E6%AC%A1%E9%95%B7%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%A9%E7%9A%84%E7%AD%94%E8%BE%AF-%E6%9C%89%E4%BA%BA%E8%AA%AA%E7%AC%91%E3%80%81%E6%9C%89%E4%BA%BA%E8%87%B4%E6%AD%89?utm_source=dable
Case of the 47 democrats update: Lau Wing-hong & Wong Pak-yu's hearing
Lau Wing-hong and Wong Pak-yu, who planned to plead guilty, attended their hearings on 8 Oct 2022.
Lau stated that since his legal aid application was cancelled, he had to represent himself. He requested a Chinese hearing since "we are all Chinese" and this "shows the spirit of national security", yet his request was denied by the judge.
When discussing their sentences, both Lau and Wong wished to be sentenced before the hearing.
Source: The Witness #Sep08
#47Democrats #Chinese #LauWingHong #WongPakYu
https://bit.ly/3qlENDm
Lau Wing-hong and Wong Pak-yu, who planned to plead guilty, attended their hearings on 8 Oct 2022.
Lau stated that since his legal aid application was cancelled, he had to represent himself. He requested a Chinese hearing since "we are all Chinese" and this "shows the spirit of national security", yet his request was denied by the judge.
When discussing their sentences, both Lau and Wong wished to be sentenced before the hearing.
Source: The Witness #Sep08
#47Democrats #Chinese #LauWingHong #WongPakYu
https://bit.ly/3qlENDm
Hong Kong’s 47 democrats national security case: 19 things since March 2021 you must know
By Translated by BeWaterHK – Sep 3, 2022 • 15 September 2022
A total of 47 democrats were charged with "conspiracy to subversion" for participating in and organising the "35+ primary election" in Hong Kong. Committal proceedings were completed in July 2022 for transfer to the High Court. Under Magistrates Ordinance Section 87A (Restrictions on reports of committal proceedings), journalists have been prevented from reporting on the pre-trial hearings until the win in the appeal by Tonyee Chow Hang-tung to remove media report restrictions on court proceedings of a case related to Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC)…
Reporter: Alvin Chan • 18 August 2022
#47Democrats #NSL #HighCourt #AlvinChan
Full Story：
https://telegra.ph/Hong-Kongs-47-democrats-national-security-case-19-things-since-March-2021-you-must-know-09-14
By Translated by BeWaterHK – Sep 3, 2022 • 15 September 2022
A total of 47 democrats were charged with "conspiracy to subversion" for participating in and organising the "35+ primary election" in Hong Kong. Committal proceedings were completed in July 2022 for transfer to the High Court. Under Magistrates Ordinance Section 87A (Restrictions on reports of committal proceedings), journalists have been prevented from reporting on the pre-trial hearings until the win in the appeal by Tonyee Chow Hang-tung to remove media report restrictions on court proceedings of a case related to Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC)…
Reporter: Alvin Chan • 18 August 2022
#47Democrats #NSL #HighCourt #AlvinChan
Full Story：
https://telegra.ph/Hong-Kongs-47-democrats-national-security-case-19-things-since-March-2021-you-must-know-09-14