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Hong Kong ex-District Council candidate among 6 convicted of rioting over 2019 protest in Central.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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Hong Kong Court Convicts Defendants in Rioting Case, Some Cleared of Charges
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Image Credit: HKPR

Convictions and Clearances

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Nine individuals, namely Yip Tik-suen, Anthony Wong, Chan Ka-yu, Ng Pak-ming, Law Cheuk-yung, Wong Wing-yan, Chan Hin, Yuen Ho-hin, and Yip Pak-hang, appeared before District Court Judge Frankie Yiu on Wednesday. Among them, Chan Ka-yu, Wong Wing-yan, and Yip Pak-hang were cleared of rioting charges, while the remaining defendants faced convictions. Additionally, Chan Hin was found guilty of breaching the mask ban.

The Mask Ban and its Controversy

The mask ban, implemented in October 2019 by former chief executive Carrie Lam under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, prohibited the use of face coverings that could impede identification during both lawful rallies and illegal assemblies.

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During the trial, a backpack belonging to Law Cheuk-yung, a social worker and candidate for Tuen Mun District Councillor in 2019, was found to contain a toolbox with various tools such as lighters, hex keys, wrenches, spray paint, and screwdrivers. Lemon Wong, the current vice chairperson of the Tuen Mun District Council, testified that Law carried these tools to assist Tuen Mun residents with apartment maintenance, as reported by local court news outlet The Witness. However, the judge deemed this explanation contradictory to Law's previous claim that he was present at the scene to assess the impact of protests on Central-to-Tuen-Mun bus routes. In addition to the rioting charge, Law was also found guilty of possessing the toolbox with intent to destroy or damage property, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.

Among the defendants, a young married couple was acquitted of rioting charges and subsequently released. Chan Ka-yu, the husband, stated that he and his wife, Wong Wing-yan, were on their way to his workplace to return a bracelet, according to local media reports. The judge acknowledged that the couple's decision to wear masks that day was "suspicious," but concluded that it was not enough to dismiss the possibility that they were innocent passers-by.

The court adjourned the mitigation and sentencing for the convicted defendants until June 23, pending the receipt of background reports.

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