Hong Kong Editors Guilty in Landmark Sedition Case

Hong Kong court found editors of Stand News, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, guilty of publishing seditious content. The case highlights increasing security crackdowns. They face up to two years in prison, marking the first sedition conviction of journalists since the 1997 handover from Britain to China.

In a landmark decision, a Hong Kong court on Thursday found Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, former editors of the now-defunct Stand News, guilty of conspiring to publish seditious materials. The verdict has attracted international scrutiny, signaling intensifying security measures in the China-governed territory.

This case holds significant weight as the first instance of journalists or editors facing sedition charges since Hong Kong's 1997 handover from Britain to China. Chung and Lam could be sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison, heightening concerns over press freedom in the region.

The ruling is seen as part of broader efforts to stifle dissent and tighten control over media operations. The international community continues to watch closely as the situation develops, adding pressure on Hong Kong's administration.

(With inputs from agencies.)