A 19-year-old woman in Hong Kong has been charged with sedition under the city’s homegrown security law for allegedly promoting an overseas group that authorities deem “subversive.”
A court charge sheet seen by HKFP identified the woman as Lan Fei.
Between March and May, she allegedly produced promotional videos for the Hong Kong Parliament, a political group deemed subversive by authorities, and encouraged people on social media to vote in an unofficial poll organised by the group, according to the city’s national security police on Tuesday.
She was charged under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance – also known as Article 23 – for “doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention.” The offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.
Lan appeared at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday afternoon for mention and was remanded in custody after Chief Magistrate Victor So rejected her bail application, according to local media.
So adjourned her case until October 31.
Hong Kong Parliament
Last month, authorities accused the Hong Kong Parliament of subverting state power, promoting “self-determination” for Hong Kong, and overthrowing the governments in China and the city.
The accusations came after the group held a vote for its self-proclaimed Hong Kong Parliament, which the group said was formed after some 15,700 Hongkongers worldwide cast their ballots online or via a mobile app.
Citing anonymous sources, local media reported that Lan was in a romantic relationship with Tony Lam, designated an “absconder” by authorities earlier this month for his participation in the Hong Kong Parliament.
Lam is among 19 overseas-based activists allegedly linked to the Hong Kong Parliament who are wanted by the national security police for subversion. He also has a HK$200,000 bounty on his head.
Lan and Lam joined the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union, which was established in Taiwan in November, and travelled to the island last year.
The pair later went to Canada after Lam was deported by Taiwanese authorities.
Lan reportedly assisted with making promotional videos for the Hong Kong Parliament in Canada before returning to Hong Kong in June.
Last month, the national security police arrested four people, aged 15 to 47, for allegedly conspiring to subvert state power through the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union.
Separate from the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of up to 16 days, and suspects’ access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.
The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the 2019 protests and unrest.
