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| Hong Kong DJ Tam Tak-chi, better known as 'Fast Beat', is facing trial for sedition under a colonial-era law.In Hong Kong, sedition is broadly defined as any words that generate "hatred, contempt or disaffection" towards the government or "encourage disaffection" among residents. (File photo by= AFP/ISAAC LAWRENCE) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] HONG KONG: On Thursday (Jul 29), a Hong Kong DJ went on trial for sedition in the first use of the colonial-era law since the city's handover to China as authorities broaden their criminalization of dissent, AFP reported.
Tam Tak-chi, 48, is among a growing number of activists charged with sedition, a little-used decades-old law that prosecutors have dusted off in the last twelve months. It’s separate from the sweeping national security law that was imposed on Hong Kong last year, which has also been used to prosecute dissidents. Better known by his DJ moniker "Fast Beat", Tam faces eight sedition charges for slogans he either uttered or wrote between January and July last year. He also faces other charges including inciting an unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct.
Meanwhile, the slogans included "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", "Corrupt cops, all of your family go to hell", "Disband Hong Kong police, delay no more" and "Down with the Communist Party of China". The trial is a watershed legal moment for Hong Kong because it will set a precedent for what political phrases and views are now deemed illegal as China looks to stamp out dissent following huge and often violent democracy protests two years ago.
