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

       HONG KONG (Kyodo) -- Hong Kong began the first trial of national security law violations on Wednesday involving a motorcyclist accused of carrying a flag emblazoned with a popular anti-government slogan.

       Tong Ying-kit, 24, was arrested on July 1, one day after Beijing imposed the controversial law on the former British colony, for allegedly driving his motorbike into a police line while carrying a flag emblazoned with "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times."

       He was charged with inciting secession and terrorism -- crimes punishable by life in prison under the national security law -- as well as the offense of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

       At the trial, the prosecutor said in his opening statement that Tong had full knowledge that the slogan meant separating Hong Kong from China and subverting state power.

       Tong incited secession and carried out terrorist activities that caused such grave harm as injuring three police officers, the prosecutor added.

       The trial, set for 15 days, was held at the High Court without a jury as requested by prosecutors who claimed that the personal safety of jurors and their families could be at stake.

       It is normal practice to hold trials in the Court of First Instance with a jury. But the High Court has ruled in favor of the prosecution, holding that a jury is not a necessary element in a fair trial.

       After sometimes violent pro-democracy protests rocked the Chinese territory for months, Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong on June 30 last year, criminalizing acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

       The police said that as of Wednesday a total of 113 people had been arrested for breaching the law.

       The first trial of national security law violations has drawn concerns from many including a top human rights official of the United Nations.

       "This will be an important test of independence for Hong Kong's judiciary in its willingness to uphold Hong Kong's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in accordance with the Basic Law," Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying in reference to Tong's case.

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