Yet another story about Beijing’s constant pushback on the HK Judiciary
The Guardian writes…
Justice department pushes to install national security judge in case as three pro-democracy legislators arrested over unruly scenes during debate
Hong Kong’s department of justice has asked that a national security judge take over the trial of an activist, even though he has not been charged with national security offences, in a move that underlines the erosion of the city’s independent legal system.
It came as a senior Chinese official called for “judicial reform” in Hong Kong and three pro-democracy legislators were arrested.
Activist Tam Tak-chi is facing more than a dozen charges, including for “uttering seditious phrases” and advocating for an independent Hong Kong. He has been charged with sedition under colonial-era crimes laws, but on Tuesday the department of justice told the district court’s chief judge that Tam’s case may involve national security matters and thus should be overseen by a specialist judge, RTHK reported.
It also suggested that a national security judge must be appointed to decide on their request, a suggestion the chief judge, Justin Ko, rejected.
The sweeping national security law enacted in June allows for specialist judges appointed by the chief executive to hear cases, and has blurred the avenues of appeal for such cases in Hong Kong. The department said having a normal judge preside over the case could have implications for any potential judicial review.
