國安法下勾結外國勢力罪的量刑原則？判處監禁

### 案件基本資料 - 案件名稱：HKSAR v Chan Tsz Wah and others - 法院：高等法院原訟法庭 (Court of First Instance, CFI) - 法官：Toh, D’Almada Remedios and Alex Lee JJ - 判決日期：2026年2月9日 ### 案情摘要 本案涉及三宗合併處理的刑事案件，共有12名被告。其中8名被告（包括Chan Tsz-wah、Li Yu-hin、Cheung Kim-hung、Chan Pui-man、Law Wai-kwong、Lam Man-chung、Fung Wai-kong及Yeung Ching-kee）承認串謀勾結外國或者境外勢力危害國家安全罪。另外4名被告（Lai Chee-ying、Apple Daily Limited、Apple Daily Printing Limited及AD Internet Limited）則不認罪，並在審訊後被裁定串謀發布煽動刊物罪及串謀勾結外國或者境外勢力危害國家安全罪成立。本判決書主要針對各被告的判刑理由，特別是就《香港國安法》第29條規定的量刑框架進行分析。 ### 核心法律爭議 本案的核心法律爭議在於如何根據《香港國安法》第29條對串謀勾結外國或者境外勢力危害國家安全罪進行量刑。具體問題包括：如何判斷罪行是否屬於「罪行重大」以適用較高的量刑檔次；在共同犯罪中，被告所扮演的角色是否影響量刑檔次的選擇，抑或僅影響量刑起點；以及如何應用《香港國安法》第33條規定的減刑因素（例如自願認罪及協助控方作證）和傳統的減刑因素（例如年齡、健康狀況及單獨囚禁）。 ### 判決理由 法庭根據終審法院在HKSAR v Lui Sai Yu一案中的判決，確立了《香港國安法》罪行量刑的五個步驟。對於《香港國安法》第29條下的「罪行重大」判斷，法庭認為應著重於罪行整體的客觀嚴重性，而非僅限於個別被告的角色，並參考了HKSAR v Ma Chun Man一案中列出的相關因素。法庭強調，雖然《香港國安法》第29條的條文與第20條和第22條有所不同，未明確提及參與角色，但立法原意是將勾結外國勢力視為更嚴重的罪行。對於協助控方的被告，法庭應用《香港國安法》第33(3)條及Z v HKSAR一案的原則給予減刑，但未將他們歸類為「污點證人 (supergrass)」。對於公司被告，法庭指出《香港國安法》第31條並未設定罰款上限，應根據罪行嚴重性、對國家安全的危害及阻嚇作用來決定罰款金額。 ### 引用案例與條文 本案主要引用了以下案例和條文： - HKSAR v Lui Sai Yu (2023) 26 HKCFAR 332：確立《香港國安法》罪行量刑的步驟和強制性量刑檔次。 - HKSAR v Wong Kin Chung [2025] HKCA 349：確認串謀觸犯《香港國安法》罪行須遵守強制性量刑檔次。 - HKSAR v Ma Chun Man [2022] 5 HKLRD 246：就判斷《香港國安法》罪行嚴重性提供相關因素。 - Z v HKSAR (2007) 10 HKCFAR 183：關於協助控方證人的量刑折扣原則。 - 《香港國安法》第29條、第31條、第33條：關於勾結外國勢力罪的定義、量刑框架、公司罰款及減刑條件。 ### 裁決與命令 法庭裁定： - Lai Chee-ying被判處總監禁20年，其中18年與其在DCCC 349/2021案中的刑期分期執行。 - Apple Daily Limited、Apple Daily Printing Limited及AD Internet Limited各被罰款港幣3,004,500元。 - Chan Tsz-wah被判監禁6年3個月。 - Li Yu-hin被判監禁7年3個月。 - Cheung Kim-hung被判監禁6年9個月。 - Chan Pui-man被判監禁7年。 - Yeung Ching-kee被判監禁7年3個月。 - Law Wai-kwong、Lam Man-chung及Fung Wai-kong各被判監禁10年。 ### 判決啟示 本判決詳細闡述了《香港國安法》下串謀勾結外國勢力罪的量刑原則，特別是「罪行重大」的判斷標準，強調了罪行整體的客觀嚴重性。此外，判決明確了協助控方作證的被告可根據《香港國安法》第33(3)條獲得減刑，但並非所有協助者都能被視為「污點證人 (supergrass)」而獲得大幅度減刑。判決還重申了公司觸犯《香港國安法》罪行時，罰款金額應反映罪行嚴重性及阻嚇作用，不受公司支付能力的限制。對於被告的個人情況（如年齡、健康、單獨囚禁），法庭會酌情考慮，但需與罪行嚴重性及公眾利益平衡。 --- ### 免責聲明 本摘要由人工智能自動生成，內容可能存在錯誤或遺漏，僅供參考，不構成法律意見。如需法律建議，請諮詢合資格律師。### Case Details - Case Name: HKSAR v Chan Tsz Wah and others - Court: Court of First Instance (CFI) - Judge: Toh, D’Almada Remedios and Alex Lee JJ - Date of Judgment: 9 February 2026 ### Factual Background This judgment concerns three consolidated criminal cases involving 12 defendants. Eight defendants (Chan Tsz-wah, Li Yu-hin, Cheung Kim-hung, Chan Pui-man, Law Wai-kwong, Lam Man-chung, Fung Wai-kong, and Yeung Ching-kee) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. The remaining four defendants (Lai Chee-ying, Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD Internet Limited) pleaded not guilty but were convicted after trial of conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display and/or reproduce seditious publications, and conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security. This judgment primarily sets out the reasons for sentencing the various defendants, with a particular focus on the sentencing framework under Article 29 of the National Security Law (NSL). ### Key Legal Issues The core legal questions in dispute revolve around the sentencing principles for conspiracy to commit collusion with a foreign country or with external elements to endanger national security under Article 29 of the NSL. Specific issues include: how to determine if an offence is of a "grave nature" to apply the higher sentencing band; whether the role played by an individual defendant in a joint offence affects the choice of sentencing band or merely the starting point; and how to apply the mitigating factors under NSL Article 33 (such as timely plea and assistance to the prosecution) and traditional mitigating factors (such as age, health, and solitary confinement). ### Ratio Decidendi The Court established a five-step sentencing process for NSL offences, based on the Court of Final Appeal's judgment in HKSAR v Lui Sai Yu. For determining whether an offence under NSL Article 29 is of a "grave nature," the Court emphasized the objective seriousness of the offence as a whole, rather than solely the role of individual defendants, referencing factors outlined in HKSAR v Ma Chun Man. The Court noted that despite textual differences between NSL Article 29 and Articles 20/22 regarding participatory roles, the legislative intent was to treat foreign collusion as a more serious offence. Defendants who assisted the prosecution received sentence reductions under NSL Article 33(3) and principles from Z v HKSAR, but were not classified as "supergrass." For corporate defendants, the Court stated that NSL Article 31 imposes no upper limit on fines, which should reflect the gravity of the offence, harm to national security, and deterrent effect, irrespective of the company's capacity to pay. ### Key Precedents & Statutes The key precedents and statutory provisions cited in this case include: - HKSAR v Lui Sai Yu (2023) 26 HKCFAR 332: Established the sentencing steps and mandatory sentencing bands for NSL offences. - HKSAR v Wong Kin Chung [2025] HKCA 349: Confirmed that conspiracy to commit an NSL offence must comply with mandatory sentencing bands. - HKSAR v Ma Chun Man [2022] 5 HKLRD 246: Provided relevant factors for assessing the seriousness of NSL offences. - Z v HKSAR (2007) 10 HKCFAR 183: Principles for sentencing discounts for witnesses assisting the prosecution. - National Security Law Articles 29, 31, 33: Pertaining to the definition of collusion with foreign forces, sentencing framework, corporate fines, and mitigation conditions. ### Decision & Orders The Court ordered the following sentences: - Lai Chee-ying was sentenced to a total of 20 years' imprisonment, with 18 years to be served consecutively to his sentence in DCCC 349/2021. - Apple Daily Limited, Apple Daily Printing Limited, and AD Internet Limited were each fined HK$3,004,500. - Chan Tsz-wah was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months' imprisonment. - Li Yu-hin was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months' imprisonment. - Cheung Kim-hung was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months' imprisonment. - Chan Pui-man was sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment. - Yeung Ching-kee was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months' imprisonment. - Law Wai-kwong, Lam Man-chung, and Fung Wai-kong were each sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. ### Key Takeaways This judgment provides a detailed exposition of sentencing principles for conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces under the NSL, particularly the criteria for determining a "grave nature" offence, emphasizing the objective seriousness of the overall offence. It clarifies that defendants assisting the prosecution may receive sentence reductions under NSL Article 33(3), but not all such assistants qualify for the substantial discounts given to "supergrass" witnesses. The judgment also reiterates that corporate fines for NSL offences should reflect the gravity and deterrent effect, without being limited by the company's ability to pay. Personal circumstances like age, health, and solitary confinement are considered but balanced against the offence's gravity and public interest. --- ### Disclaimer This summary is AI-generated and may contain errors or omissions. It is for reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a qualified lawyer for professional legal advice.