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Joshua Wong Pleads Guilty in Hong Kong National Security Case
Confirmed
In Short: Critics say the case against pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong demonstrates the authorities' aim to silence dissent, following the disbandment of his group and the imposition of a national security law.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has pleaded guilty in his second national security case, a move critics say shows the authorities' determination to silence prominent dissidents and chill civic activism in the city.
The prosecution alleged that Wong shared a petition online urging foreign digital forensic companies to stop cooperating with Hong Kong police, leading one company to halt its services in the region.
Before the national security law, Wong and others sought foreign intervention, including sanctions and blockades, against Hong Kong and China, according to the prosecution.
Wong's friend Louis Lee reported that he had continued to call for sanctions and had posted meetings on social media, activities that the authorities say violated the law.
In prison, Wong has explored new hobbies and learned new things, according to Lee, who hopes to see his friend released soon.
The case highlights the authorities' strategy of stacking charges against Wong to keep him behind bars, silencing him and the pro-democracy movement he inspired, according to Human Rights Watch and other critics.
Background
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China. Situated on China's southern coast just south of Shenzhen, it consists of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories.
What's confirmed
- Critics say Wong’s case showed the authorities’ determination to silence prominent dissidents, chilling civic activism.
- Demosisto disbanded when Beijing imposed the security law in 2020, which authorities said was necessary for the city’s stability.
What's still developing
- Prosecutors noted Wong shared Law’s online petition urging digital forensic companies to stop cooperating with police on Facebook after the security law took effect.
- One company later announced it would stop selling digital intelligence offerings to customers in Hong Kong and China, they said.
- Before the security law, they and others sought foreign forces to impose sanctions or blockades or engage in other hostile measures against Hong Kong and China, it said.
- Wong supported the effort from Hong Kong through foreign media and social media, including sharing Law’s posts, to draw foreign countries’ attention and “bolster the request for sanctions, blockade or other hostile…
- The prosecution also said Wong said in a work report he had helped end that company’s forensic software supply to police and had written to foreign companies warning about their collaboration with the Chinese…
- His friend Louis Lee said Wong read books, studied, learned guitar and exercised in prison, exploring new hobbies and new things behind bars.
- He said he hoped to see Wong outside prison as soon as possible.
- The prosecution said he had continued to call for sanctions on Hong Kong and China after the implementation of the national security law and that he had posted meetings on his social media accounts.