The Magistrates' Court today sentenced a defendant to 14 months' imprisonment for "doing with a seditious intention an act or acts that had a seditious intention" under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The defendant had earlier pleaded guilty to the offence.

The magistrate clearly pointed out in the reasons for sentencing that the content of the seditious words in this case involved advocating divesting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government from the lawful governance of the central authorities, and putting his agenda into action by undermining social tranquility and public order, seriously endangering the unity and territorial integrity of the state.

The magistrate also stated that the defendant intended to bring other people into hatred and contempt against the Hong Kong SAR Government and law enforcement agencies, resulting in social rift and division.

If the law does not intervene in time, it will make society once again fall into chaos, the magistrate added.

In a statement, the Hong Kong SAR Government said the conviction and sentencing of the defendant demonstrates that any person intending to endanger national security or incite social hatred can never escape sanctions of the law.

Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law, where laws must be obeyed and lawbreakers be held accountable. People who break the law must face legal sanctions for their malicious acts, it added.

The statement also noted that the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights guarantee fundamental rights such as the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration.

It added that clear lines have been drawn between unlawful seditious acts and expressions, and lawful constructive criticisms under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The Hong Kong SAR Government stressed that the relevant provisions are unambiguous and reminded members of the public not to defy the law.