An 18-year-old from Hong Kong has been arrested by national security police for allegedly writing seditious messages three times in a commercial building’s toilet.
Authorities said the teenager was detained on Monday in Kowloon under Section 24 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. He is accused of committing acts with seditious intent, including graffiti containing content that allegedly provoked hatred or contempt towards Hong Kong’s constitutional order and its governing bodies—namely the executive, legislative, and judicial authorities.
The messages also reportedly encouraged others to defy local laws.
The teenager now faces one charge of acting with seditious intent and three counts of criminal damage. His case was scheduled to be heard in West Kowloon Court on Wednesday afternoon.
Under the ordinance, the offence of seditious intention carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
