Activist Faces New Sedition Charge, Over Shared Mic

Pro-democracy activist Tam Tak-chi has been hit with another sedition charge, with prosecutors alleging he "conspired to utter seditious words" by passing someone a microphone for them to shout slogans in a Mong Kok street.

The vice-chairman of People Power, who is accused of inciting hatred and contempt against the government, was already facing 13 other charges, including uttering seditious words himself, holding an unauthorised assembly, and refusing to obey a police officer's order.

On Wednesday, West Kowloon Court Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak agreed with the prosecution's request for the case to be transferred to the District Court, as well as for the extra charge to be laid against Tam.

The activist is said to have passed a microphone to another person at a street booth in Mong Kok on July 4 this year.

The other alleged offences are said to have taken place in various parts of the city between March and July.

Among other things, Tam is alleged to have used slogans such as "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" and "Five demands, not one less".

The government has linked these anti-government protest slogans to calls for Hong Kong independence and has suggested the phrases are illegal.

Tam was again remanded in custody, with the next hearing set for November 17.

The activist is the first person since the 1997 handover to be charged with sedition under a law that dates back to colonial times.

Last week, former Studentlocalism leader Tony Chung was also charged with sedition under the legislation, as well as a national security law offence and money laundering.