First person to stand trial under Hong Kong’s security law pleads not guilty

In this July 6, 2020, file photo, Tong Ying-kit arrives at a court in a police van in Hong Kong. (Vincent Yu/AP, File)

The first person to stand trial under Hong Kong’s national security law has pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism and inciting secession by driving a motorcycle into police officers while carrying a protest flag.

Tong Ying-kit was arrested on July 1, 2020, a day after the sweeping national security law took effect in response to massive pro-democracy protests that challenged Beijing’s rule.