Activist who threw egg at John Tsang sentenced to jail for three weeks

A radical pro-democracy activist was sentenced to three weeks in jail yesterday for throwing an egg at Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah at a political forum as part of a protest last year.

The activist, League of Social Democrats secretary general Derek Chan Tak-cheung was sentenced a day after another egg-tossing incident, targeting pro-democracy student leader Joshua Wong Chi-fung.

Magistrate So Wai-tak said in Eastern Court that there was "no room or justification for reduction" of the sentence for Chan, 25.

The defendant questioned the necessity of placing egg-throwers behind bars. His conviction was for one count of common assault on Tsang during the government forum in North Point in December.

"I'm afraid this decision sets a bad precedent," he said.

But Chan said he would not accept a lighter sentence of community service.

The magistrate ruled out a suspended sentence. He allowed Chan to be released on bail of HK$500 pending an appeal at the Court of First Instance. Chan was ordered not to leave Hong Kong during the bail period.