Hong Kong Student Activist Tony Cheng Indicted

Allegations of National Division, Money Laundering, and Publishing Inciting Content Conspiracy
Second Case Charged with Violating Hong Kong National Security Law

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Hong Kong student activist Tony Cheng (19) was indicted on the 29th for violating the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law).

This is the second case indicted for violating the Hong Kong Security Law, which was enacted on June 30, and the first indictment among Hong Kong democracy activists.

According to Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK, Tony Cheng was indicted on the day for conspiring to commit secession, money laundering, and publishing seditious content, and appeared in court. His bail application was denied, and he is expected to be detained until the next court hearing on January 7 of next year.

Earlier, Tony Cheng was arrested on the morning of the 27th by the National Security Department, a special unit within the police handling cases related to the Hong Kong Security Law, at a coffee shop opposite the US Consulate in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that he planned to seek asylum at the US Consulate.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Hong Kong Security Law allows for the death penalty or life imprisonment for four crimes: secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign forces.

Tony Cheng was also arrested in July for violating the Hong Kong Security Law and was released on bail after paying 2,000 Hong Kong dollars. Since then, he has been banned from leaving the country.

The organization he led, 'Haksa Dongwon' (Student Mobilization), declared a suspension of activities within Hong Kong after the enactment of the Hong Kong Security Law, but its overseas members continue their activities.

Earlier, on July 1, a 23-year-old man who attacked police during an anti-Hong Kong Security Law protest in downtown Hong Kong was the first to be indicted for violating the Hong Kong Security Law.