Hong Kong independence activist Edward Leung loses appeal over six-year jail term for rioting in Mong Kok
- Court of Appeal also rules against Lo Kin-man and Wong Ka-kui, who were jailed for seven years and 3½ years respectively
- Leung was jailed for his role in the Mong Kok riot, which broke out on the first night of the Lunar New Year in 2016
The Court of Appeal on Wednesday also ruled against Lo Kin-man and Wong Ka-kui, who were jailed for seven years and 3½ years respectively for rioting on the same night of February 8, 2016, in Mong Kok.
In rejecting the applications, Mr Justice Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor said the trial judge was entitled to pass punitive and deterrent sentences on the trio, whose rioting offences had an immediate and extremely serious impact on the rule of law.
“Sentencing for the offence of riot must reflect the law’s determination to maintain public order, and send a clear message to society and the public that the law does not condone the breach of public order by means of violence,” Poon said, adding that one’s personal belief could not be a mitigating factor.
Poon, chief judge of the High Court, said the offences Leung, 28, committed were extremely serious as he had witnessed how the events unfolded but chose to remain at the scene despite the escalating violence.
