Democracy activist Howard Lam calls critics bullies, pigs after Hong Kong court throws out his mainland staple-torture story
- Democratic Party founding member out on bail pending an appeal, and source says he faces internal investigation after court proceedings
- In Facebook Live session, Lam stands by his claims of innocence and refutes court evidence
Democracy activist Howard Lam Tsz-kin accused internet users of bullying him and insisted on his innocence on Saturday, a day after a Hong Kong court ruled that he had lied about being kidnapped and tortured with staples by mainland agents.
While Lam, 42, is out on bail pending an appeal, two sources told the Post that the Democratic Party founding member could face an internal disciplinary investigation after all court proceedings were completed. He was given a five-month jail sentence.
Since Lam went public with his dramatic account in August 2017, questions have been raised over the party’s credibility. Lam held a press conference at the time, flanked by senior members Martin Lee Chu-ming and Albert Ho Chun-yan.
After he was charged with making a false police report, the Post was told that the party had received complaints from fellow members against Lam.
On Saturday the activist remained adamant, condemning online users through a Facebook Live session for mocking his appearance and hurling expletives at him, without full knowledge of the facts.
Calling his abusers “pigs”, Lam said during the streaming: “I have never experienced internet bullying to such a level.”
He quoted some detractors as calling him fat, mocking his facial features and saying he deserved jail.
Lam added that the live session would be the last chance for him to respond to the “bullying, false accusations and diatribes”.
On Friday, Lam was found guilty of one count of knowingly making a false report to police about an offence, which is punishable by six months’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$1,000.
Acting Chief Magistrate So Wai-tak said immediate imprisonment was the only sentencing option given Lam had shown no remorse for making up lies that carried political implications.
So also slammed Lam for taking up the police’s time and resources.
He said he was kidnapped in broad daylight on Portland Street in Mong Kok.
A medical examination found he had linear bruises on his belly and 21 staples punched into his thighs. He also had psychiatric medication such as tranquillisers and sleeping pills in his system.
During Saturday’s streaming, Lam insisted the story that made international headlines was true.
He contested evidence that cemented his conviction, including surveillance footage police had used to show a masked man in black walking alone freely in the area. Authorities identified the figure in the video as Lam, through his unique gait with toes pointing inward.
But Lam said on Saturday his gait could be easily imitated and someone could have done so to frame him. In the video, the man was seen boarding a minibus to Sai Kung at the time Lam had claimed he was abducted.
The man kept wandering around the CCTV camera. How could I be so stupid to do that?
“The man kept wandering around the CCTV camera. How could I be so stupid to do that?” he said.
Lam added that his face was earlier caught on CCTV, but there was no footage of him putting on a mask and a cap, worn by the man who showed up on later videos.
Another set of undisputed footage, however, showed Lam after the time of the alleged kidnapping buying cigarettes and food from McDonald’s, then eating at a deserted car park before going home.
In the online session, Lam said he did not go home immediately because he was trying to calm himself down after the incident.
“Different people react to such things differently,” he said.
Additional reporting by Alvin Lum
