An activist in Hong Kong has become the second person to be convicted under China's controversial national security law. He is well known as "Captain America," for holding the superhero's shield during rallies.
Ma Chun-man was convicted on Monday of inciting secession, for demonstrating, chanting slogans and making speeches in support of Hong Kong independence on nearly two dozen occasions last year.
A Hong Kong activist dubbed 'Captain America 2.0' for wielding the superhero's shield during protests was found guilty of incitement to secession, the second person convicted under a national security law imposed by China in a crackdown on dissent. https://t.co/fBs5ADQaqD
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 26, 2021
Ma's conviction was handed down by District Court Judge Stanley Chan, who said his speech demonstrated an intention to incite secession. He will be sentenced Nov. 11 and faces as many as seven years in prison.
Ma is the second person to be convicted under the national security law, which was enacted more than a year ago to restrict activities viewed by Beijing as subversive, terrorist or secessionist in nature.
Ma's attorney said that his activities were intended to prove that free speech in Hong Kong was still alive.
Activist Tong Ying-kit was the first person convicted under the national security law. He was sentenced to nine years in prison in July.
??A Hong Kong man has been found guilty of inciting succession from China simply for chanting political slogans https://t.co/wUTcq5rMzN
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 25, 2021
Earlier Monday, Amnesty International announced that it will close its Hong Kong offices by the end of 2021 because the national security law has made it "impossible for human rights organizations in Hong Kong to work freely and without fear of serious reprisals from the government."
Amnesty International has operated its Hong Kong offices for 40 years.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
