Jailed Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong charged with conspiring to collude with foreign forces
Jailed Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong has been charged with conspiring to collude with foreign forces under the Beijing-imposed national security law.
The 28-year-old activist, who was jailed under the national security law for four years and eight months last year over an unofficial primary election, was brought to the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Friday afternoon to face a new national security offence.
Wong stands accused of conspiring with self-exiled activist Nathan Law and 'other persons unknown' between July 1, 2020 and November 23, 2020 to request foreign countries or organisations to impose sanctions, blockades or engage in other hostile activities against Hong Kong or China, according to the charge sheet seen by HKFP.
He also allegedly conspired to request foreign powers or organisations to 'seriously disrupt the formulation and implementation of laws and policies' in Hong Kong and China, 'which was likely to cause serious consequences,' the charge sheet said.
His case was adjourned to August 8, according to local media reports.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of life behind bars.
Wong was arrested in Stanley Prison by the police's national security department on Friday before being brought to court. He was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering, according to a police statement on Friday, but has not been charged for that.
Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong's mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
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