while publishing an "obscene" (淫褻) article carries a maximum sentence of 3 years, an "indecent" (不雅) article only carries a maximum sentence of 12 months. "ming pao" revealed on 14 february that it had received interim classification from the obscene articles tribunal (oat) relating to five photographs it had submitted for opinion. three of these photographs were classified as "indecent" while two were considered "obscene". the only photograph which was in circulation on 27 january, allegedly posted by chung yik-tin, was "indecent". thus, the journal raised the question that chung may have been charged with a wrong offence. also, the law applies only after oat's classification. since the police arrested and charged chung before classification, some viewed the arrest as unlawful. an assistant professor at the university of hong kong questioned whether an amended charge of "publishing an indecent article" applied to photographs uploaded onto the internet.