Arrest to verdict: A timeline of Hong Kong’s first security trial

Three Hong Kong judges are expected to deliver their verdict on Tuesday in the trial of Tong Ying-kit – the first person charged under the national security law that was imposed by China on the restive territory just hours before his arrest.

Tong, who has been held in custody and is now 24 years old, went on trial at the beginning of this month.

Here is a timeline of events in this landmark case.

June 30, 2020

Shortly before midnight, Beijing imposes the national security law on Hong Kong punishing what China deems subversion, secessionism, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

July 1, 2020

Thousands of people gather in different parts of Hong Kong to protest against the imposition of the national security law.

Tong Ying-kit, now 24, is arrested in the Wan Chai district of Hong Kong island.

Police say Tong, a former waiter, drove his motorcycle – a black flag emblazoned with the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times” billowing from the back – into three riot police, injuring them.

July 2, 2020

The Hong Kong government says the slogan “Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times” – a popular rallying cry during the mass 2019 pro-democracy protests – connotes “Hong Kong independence” or “subverting state power”.

July 3, 2020

Hours after the government’s statement, Tong is charged with terrorism and inciting separatism under the national security law.

July 6, 2020

A Hong Kong court denies bail to Tong, citing Article 42 of the national security law, which states that “No bail shall be granted to a criminal suspect or defendant unless the judge has sufficient grounds for believing that the criminal suspect or defendant will not continue to commit acts endangering national security.”

August 21, 2020

Two judges, Anderson Chow and Alex Lee, of Hong Kong’s High Court reject Tong’s writ for habeas corpus, which determines whether detention is lawful, saying he should have instead sought a review of an order to deny him bail.

Aug 25, 2020

Hong Kong High Court judge Alex Lee rejects Tong’s new bail application.

Feb 5, 2021

Secretary of Justice Teresa Cheng issues an order that Tong’s trial will be heard by three judges appointed for national security cases, instead of a jury, citing “the personal safety of jurors and their family members”. She adds that there is a “real risk” that justice might be impaired if a jury trial were allowed.

Tong later files for a judicial review of the decision.

Under Hong Kong’s common law tradition, criminal cases are usually tried before a jury – a feature described by the judiciary as one of the most important features of its legal system.

May 20, 2021

Judge Alex Lee, with the Court of First Instance of the High Court, rejects Tong’s application for judicial review, saying in a written judgement “there is nothing inherently unreasonable in directing a trial by a panel of three judges sitting without a jury, when there is a perceived risk of the personal safety of jurors and their family members or that due administration of justice might be impaired”.

June 22, 2021

Court of Appeal judges Jeremy Poon, Wally Yeung and Johnson Lam uphold the decision to deny Tong a jury trial.

June 23, 2021

Tong’s trial begins and he pleads not guilty to all charges, including a new, alternative charge of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm, which can lead to up to seven years in prison.

July 20, 2021

Tong’s trial ends after weeks of debate focusing mainly on the meaning of the slogan on his flag. Tong did not give evidence.

July 27, 2021

Judges Esther Toh, Anthea Pang and Wilson Chan are expected to give their verdict at 3pm (07:00 GMT).