Court observers shed tears and sent messages to Hong Kong people for patience and perseverance
[Epoch Times December 31, 2021](The Epoch Times reporter Zhang Xiaohui reported) Zhong Peiquan, former editor-in-chief of “Stance News”, and former acting editor-in-chief Lin Shaotong, appeared in Hong Kong West Kowloon Magistracy yesterday (30th). The two and The parent company of “Stance News” was charged with “conspiracy to publish and/or copy seditious publications” and the two were remanded in custody until February 25 next year.
The incident aroused local and external attention, and a large number of Hong Kong citizens and foreign consular representatives came to observe. Four former directors who were arrested were released on bail.
The three defendants are Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited, Zhong Peiquan and Lin Shaotong. The charge alleges that the three defendants conspired together and published and/or copied seditious publications with others between July 7, 2020 and December 29, 2021, with the following intent: to cause hatred or contempt for the Central Government or the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, or Arouse their rebellion; arouse Hong Kong residents’ attempts to change other legally formulated matters in Hong Kong without legal means; arouse hatred, contempt or arouse rebellion against Hong Kong’s justice; cause dissatisfaction or divorce among Hong Kong residents Treason; inciting others to use violence; counseling others to disobey the law or disobey legal orders.
The representative of Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited, the parent company of the first defendant, “Stance News”, was absent from the hearing. The former editor-in-chief of “Stance News” Zhong Peiquan appeared in court. Lin Shaotong, the former acting editor-in-chief of “Stance News”, did not appear in court due to staying in a doctor.
The prosecution stated in the court that there was initially enough evidence to prosecute the defendant, but it would take time to investigate the 6 boxes of documents, 62 computers, 27 electronic devices and Lin Shaotong’s phone seized in the “Situation News” office on the 29th, and apply for adjournment of the case. Until February 25 next year.
The case was handled by the designated judge and acting chief magistrate of the “Hong Kong National Security Law,” Luo Quan, and the application was approved by Luo Guan.
Both Zhong Peiquan and Lin Shaotong applied for bail, and the prosecution objected. Luo Guan refused to release the two defendants on bail after hearing the statements of the prosecution and defense. Lin Shaotong, who is absent, will appear in court at 10:30 am on the 31st to hear the charges.
At the same time, Guan Luo refused to waive the limitation of reporting on bail submissions, saying that the case caused a lot of concern, and the fact that certain evidence was mentioned in the bail procedure would inevitably cause a lot of interpretation before trial, and even extreme interpretation methods, which are not good for judicial interests.
Observer: If you persist, there will be a dawn, and many people shed tears
Before and after the hearing, the observers frequently raised hands to gesture to Zhong Peiquan, and Zhong Peiquan also waved to the observers. The public seats in the court were full, and there were a large number of citizens in the extended court. Representatives of foreign consulates in Hong Kong also came to observe. After the adjournment, many observers wept.
“Ma Shipu Chen Bo” who was in the audience, Chen Jiqiu sighed to the reporter, “Do you think there is freedom? No! The rule of law has been weakened! We are all telling the truth, and the truth is subject to a lot of pressure, even going to jail. !”
He disagrees with the accusation of “Position News” of inciting hatred of the government, because although “Position News” raises questions about the government, there are also positive reports on the government, both positive and negative.
Under the current circumstances, Uncle Chen believes that Hong Kong people should be patient, “Being eye-catching and sticking to our ideas, we are all weak, but being weak does not mean that we have no truth.” Chen Bo persuades those who are able to leave to leave Hong Kong, hoping that everyone will protect themselves. However, he said that he is very old and will do as much as he can stay in Hong Kong.
Another observer, Ms. Lin, told reporters that she felt sad that the two were not allowed to be released on bail, especially when Lin Shaotong was admitted to the hospital. When asked how Hong Kong people should deal with themselves, she emphasized: “Persevere, persevere, and perseverance will have dawn.”
4 former directors released on bail and rumored to be wanted by the Hong Kong government
Former directors of “Stance News” He Yunshi, Wu Aiyi, Zhou Dazhi and Fang Minsheng were released on bail on the afternoon of the 30th.
Singer He Yunshi left the Western Police Station accompanied by singer Huang Yaoming and former Legislative Council Member Chen Zhiquan at about 6 pm. During the period, he thanked the reporters with their hands together.
Former member of the Legislative Council and barrister Wu Aiyi was also allowed to leave the Central Police Station on bail at about 6 pm, and was accompanied by Senior Counsel Leung Jiajie. Wu Aiyi said: “Thank you for your concern. It is important for everyone to care for each other.”
Based on “Wen Wei Po”, “Ming Pao” and Radio Hong Kong news, “Stance News” founder and director Cai Donghao, former director Yu Jiahui, Lian Yizheng, and the author of the seditious article involved in the case are wanted by the police. It is reported that Cai Donghao and Yu Jiahui are currently in Australia and the United Kingdom, respectively, while Lian Yizheng has moved to Japan and teaches at a local university.
Many governments and international organizations call for release
Governments and international organizations issued statements concerning the incident. US Secretary of State Blincoln issued a statement on the website of the State Department, calling on the Chinese Communist Party and the Hong Kong government to release people immediately. He said that freedom of speech and media freedom have enabled Hong Kong to flourish and become a global financial, trade, education, and cultural center. The suppression of independent media has weakened Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s credibility and viability.
Many U.S. congressmen have also spoken about this. Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, said: “The Chinese Communist Party is most worried about the world knowing the truth about its crimes. This Orwellian mouthpiece for African parties The suppression of the news media shows how fearful they actually are.”
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said that he is deeply concerned about the arrests by the Hong Kong government and will cooperate with international allies to continue to speak out and condemn these violations of freedom.
A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said that the “Stance News” incident once again demonstrated that “Hong Kong’s diversity, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are being eroded-especially after the National Security Law comes into force.”
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor responded to outside criticism when meeting with the media on the 30th, saying that Western media and foreign governments “jumped conclusions” and “trampled the rule of law.” Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor denied that the actions against the “Apple Daily” and “Situation News” were to rectify the opposition media, and believed that it did not cause a chilling effect, because there are still many voices criticizing the government and herself.
Cédric Alviani, Director of the East Asia Office of Reporters Without Borders, said: “From the example of position journalism, you can clearly see that the Hong Kong administration’s goal is to eradicate all media that do not support official narratives and reduce Hong Kong to one. The level of suppression and censorship is equivalent to that of mainland China.”
The United Nations Human Rights Office stated that it was shocked by the Hong Kong government’s continued suppression of civil space and called on the authorities to respect the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. ◇
Editor in charge: 杨亦慧#
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