Hong Kong editors used Stand News to praise criminals and promote illegal ideologies, says prosecutor at sedition trial
- Judge rejects defence challenge against admission of 10 reports as evidence saying prosecutors are entitled to prove continuous nature of offence
- Prosecutor says publications, comprising eight news reports and nine commentaries are manifestation of defendants’ criminal plot
Two former editors of the now-defunct Stand News portal conspired to use the popular site as a political platform beautifying “criminals” and promoting their “illegal” ideologies, prosecutors have argued in the media outlet’s sedition trial.
In a strongly-worded opening statement in the District Court on Tuesday, prosecutors accused the online news service and the two editors of publishing 17 seditious articles to support “forces opposing China and disrupting Hong Kong”, glorify their so-called acts of resistance, and disparage Beijing, the local administration and the national security law.
“All 17 articles in the present case were published [after] Hong Kong experienced unprecedented turmoil ... with the authorities of Beijing and the Hong Kong government being tested to the limit,” said prosecutor Laura Ng Shuk-kuen.
Former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, 53, and acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam Shiu-tung, 35, on Monday denied a joint count of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications. They face up to two years imprisonment if convicted.
Counsel earlier argued the 10 items should be excluded as the charge was laid more than six months after their publication, beyond the time limit within which prosecution can be initiated.
