First charges under national security law

A Hong Kong man who carried a sign saying "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times" as he drove a motorcycle into police during a protest, has become the first person charged with inciting separatism and terrorism under a new security law.

Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong late on Tuesday (June 30) after weeks of uncertainty.

The law punishes crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison. But critics say it is aimed at stamping out dissent.

Police said the 23-year-old man rammed into several officers at an unauthorized protest on Wednesday (July 1).

Media said he was initially arrested for dangerous driving.

The charge comes less than 24 hours after the city's government said the protest slogan connotes separatism or subversion under the new law.

It appears on placards at most rallies, is printed on T-shirts and accessories and scribbled on post-it notes on walls across city.

The government's ruling on the slogan will compound fears about the suppression of the city's freedoms.