Ousted localist lawmaker on trial for storming Hong Kong Legco says he is victim of ‘character assassination’ by security guard
Baggio Leung says the guard accused him of ‘touching someone else’s breasts’ during November scuffle to enter meeting
An ousted localist lawmaker in Hong Kong on trial for storming a Legislative Council meeting took to the witness box on Thursday to accuse a security guard of “character assassination” during the incident.
Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang said the guard accused him of “touching someone else’s breasts” during the chaos on November 2, 2016, even though he had kept his arms by his side at the time.
Leung, his ally Yau Wai-ching – also an ousted lawmaker – and their three personal assistants are accused of forcing their way into a meeting despite obstruction from security guards.
Legco drama rages on: meeting adjourned after Hong Kong localists enter to defy oaths ban
Referring to the comment he claimed was made by one of the guards, Leung said: “It was character assassination.”
In response that day, Leung said he shouted back angrily: “What are you saying? Hit me!”
Prosecutors had cited the last comment in their opening speech, but did not include Leung’s version of the context of the remark.
Leung, Yau and their three assistants – Yeung Lai-hong, Chung Suet-ying and Cheung Tsz-lung – denied one joint count of taking part in an unlawful assembly. They also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of attempted forcible entry.