Page:HKSAR v. Tong Ying Kit (Verdict).pdf/9

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

-9-

13. Turning to the mens rea of the offence under Article 20, we are of the view that, based on the clear wording used in the Article, the culpable mind is one which does the prohibited act(s) with a view to committing secession or undermining national unification.

14. Article 21 provides:

「任何人煽動、協助、教唆、以金錢或者其他財物資助他人實施本法第二十條規定的犯罪的,即屬犯罪…」

15. Its English translation reads:

“A person who incites, assists in, abets or provides pecuniary or other financial assistance or property for the commission by other persons of the offence under Article 20 of this Law shall be guilty of an offence…”

16. In respect of the mens rea and actus reus of the offence of incitement, we would like to refer to the helpful summary given in the Court of Appeal’s judgment in HKSAR v Jariabka Juraj[1] in which Lunn, VP cited what Tuckey LJ said in DPP v Armstrong[2], and reiterated:

“63. Of the offence of incitement, Tuckey LJ said:
‘The actus reus of the offence is the indictment (sic) by the defendant of another to do something which is a criminal offence. He must do so with the intention that if the other person does as he asks he will commit a criminal offence. That is the mens rea. On this analysis the intention of the person incited is entirely irrelevant.’


  1. [2017] 2 HKLRD 266.
  2. [2000] Crim LR 379.