A Hong Kong man has been sentenced to 16 months in jail for posting on social media about wanting to kill former city leader Carrie Lam in 2020. Pun Tak-shu was found guilty of incitement to cause grievous bodily harm with intent for a Facebook post he made in February 2020. Despite the defense arguing that the post had a limited impact and the comments were playful, the judge decided to give Pun a prison term.
During the sentencing, the judge criticized Pun for not showing enough remorse and mentioned that the post targeted a public figure like Carrie Lam. The judge also took into account the political atmosphere and radical ideology present during the aftermath of the 2019 protests. Pun’s post, which mentioned procuring weapons, raised concerns about the influence of online discourse on individuals’ behavior.
The judge considered Pun’s health condition and the fact that he did not challenge most of the case details when reducing the sentence by two months. The 2019 protests in Hong Kong were sparked by an extradition bill that was later withdrawn, leading to widespread calls for democracy and investigations into police conduct. The protests often turned violent, with demonstrators demanding amnesty for those arrested and an end to the characterization of the protests as riots.
Kelly Ho, a journalist based in Hong Kong, has extensively covered the aftermath of the 2019 protests and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the city. With a background in journalism and politics, Kelly has been documenting the changes in Hong Kong under the national security law imposed by Beijing. Prior to joining Hong Kong Free Press, Kelly reported on the 2019 unrest for the South China Morning Post’s Young Post, covering sports and youth-related issues as well.
In conclusion, the case of Pun Tak-shu highlights the serious consequences of inciting violence on social media, especially during times of political tension. It serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible online behavior and the potential impact of social media posts on public safety and security.
