Hong Kong sentences student over social media posts she shared while in JapanReuters, HONG KONGA Hong Kong court on Friday sentenced a student to two months imprisonment for sedition over pro-independence social media posts she published while studying in Japan. Scholars and overseas activists say this case represents an alarming escalation of the chilling effect experienced by those who continue to engage with Hong Kong affairs. Hong Kong Chief Justice, Andrew Cheung, first left, and judges attend a ceremony held to mark the opening of the legal year in Hong Kong on Jan. 16. According to the prosecutor, most of the posts were published when she was studying in Japan, with messages saying: “I am a Hong Konger; I advocate for Hong Kong independence,” and “Hong Kong independence, the only way out.”Among the 13 alleged social media posts, only two posts were shared from Hong Kong. In response, Hong Kong on Friday condemned the move, saying US legislators were grandstanding and trying to intimidate the city.
