Tag: Hong Kong Indigenous

The judge presiding over the riot trial of Hong Kong pro-independence activist Edward Leung Tin-kei urged jurors to put politics aside on Monday, as she began to direct them on reaching a verdict. Leung, 26, and four other men have pleaded not guilty to a host of charges, including rioting and inciting others to take part in a riot, in the busy district of Mong Kok on the night of February 8, 2016. The chaos carried on into the early hours of next morning. His other co-defendants are Lam Lun-hing, Lam Ngo-hin, Lee Nok-man and Lo Kin-man. Wrapping up the case on Monday, Pang told the jury this was a case involving a group of social activists and frustrations against the authorities. The chaos later descended into a stand-off with police, with prosecutors alleging that Leung and a fellow member from the localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, Ray Wong Toi-yeung, then incited the crowd to riot by issuing commands. Among the crowd, the prosecutors said, were other members from the group dressed in blue T-shirts. Video footage played in court showed a confrontation of protesters hurling verbal abuse at police officers and assaulting them, with bricks being launched as missiles when the unrest later spread to Argyle, Shantung, and Fa Yuen streets. Madam Justice Anthea Pang Po-kam Pang told the jury on Monday while some might be put off by the violence and insults, and others might sympathise with the hawkers, it was important they maintain a “calm and impartial” approach when considering the criminal allegations against each of the defendants. The judge also said the event was widely reported by media at the time.