Hong Kong Authorities Accuses Speech Therapists of "Conspiring printing, publishing, distributing or copying seditious p

[emily]

Hong Kong Authorities Accuses Speech Therapists of "Conspiring printing, publishing, distributing or copying seditious publications" for publishing "Sheep Village" children's books

There was prima facie evidence against them. The prosecutor gave a closing statement on #July18 that this case does not need to prove the defendants have seditious incitement or that someone is incited. As long as the defendants understand the publications are with incitement but still publishing, they can be charged. The prosecutors cite previous cases to emphasise incitement can lead to severe consequences such as rebellions and internal wars. It can be similar to the Crime of #Treason.

The defendants stated in the closing statement on #July20 that the related kid's books are not seditious but reflect the defendants' views on social issues, which should not be criminal. The definitions of "#hatred", "#contempt", and “#subvert" are vague and broad, which allow the authority to punish dissidents, causing a chilling effect. People are frightened to be arrested with no bail due to providing non-official perspectives, just like these defendants being under detention for a year.

The defendants then listed a number of former-UK colonies, including India, Kenya and Uganda, to show "the Crime of Incitement" is unconstitutional and has been abandoned.

The case was extended until July 30, 2022 to continue the closing statements.

Sources: InMedia #Jul18 #Jul22 ; You are not alone HK #Jul20

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