On March 6, 2025, the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal delivered a significant judgment in the sedition case of pro-democracy activist Tam Tak-chi (commonly known as “Fast Beat”), former vice-chairman of the Hong Kong People Power. The court unanimously dismissed Tam’s appeal, upholding his conviction on 11 charges, including sedition, related to his 2020 street protests. The key point of the ruling was the court’s clarification that under Hong Kong’s legal framework, the prosecution does not need to prove intent to incite violence or disturb public order in sedition cases. This judgment solidified the interpretation of sedition offenses under the Hong Kong National Security Law and clarified that sedition cases could be tried in district courts rather than requiring a jury trial in the High Court. The ruling has significant implications for the future of sedition prosecutions and political speech in Hong Kong, as it makes it easier for civil society actors to be jailed, restricts freedom of expression, increases self-censorship, and undermines public trust in the judicial system.
