Hong Kong teen gets probation for seditious graffiti

A Hong Kong judge sentenced 19-year-old Leung Kai-lok on Wednesday to 18 months of probation for writing words found to have a seditious intention on a toilet wall, including a slogan used during the city's 2019 pro-democracy protests.

Leung, who has autism spectrum disorder, was found guilty last month of acting with “seditious intention” and admitted destroying property. He had been charged under Hong Kong's national security law and had faced up to seven years in prison.

He admitted writing phrases with a marker on a toilet wall in an office building, including “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times.” He also wrote obscenities and “die John Lee,” referring to Hong Kong's chief executive.

Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak also ordered Leung to pay HK$1,500 in cleaning fees. The judge said Leung was 12 at the time of the 2019 protests and may not have fully understood the situation or may have been influenced by online content.

“This does not mean that you cannot express your opinions... but freedom of speech is relative,” So told him.

Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 after large and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests the year before. Hong Kong enacted another security law of its own in 2024. As of August 1, authorities had arrested 415 people for various national security crimes, with 185 convicted.