First Hong Kong trial for protesters facing riot charges opens as prosecution concedes no direct evidence of trio’s actions
- Lawyers argue defendants’ black attire, protective gear and attempt to flee police near scene serve as proof of involvement
- Judge must also determine if the July protest in Sai Wan constituted a riot in the first place
Eric Kwok Tung-ming SC asked the court to infer the trio’s participation in what he described as a riot in Sai Wan on July 28, after conceding there was no direct evidence of their actions that night.
The District Court heard all three were arrested in a dead-end alley connected to Des Voeux Road West, where the riot allegedly took place, after police issued repeated warnings and dispersed crowds with tear gas.
Student Natalie Lee Yuen-yui, 17, gym owner Tong Wai-hung, 39, and his wife, 42-year-old Elaine To, have all pleaded not guilty to one joint count of rioting. Tong and To have also each denied one count of possessing a radio apparatus without a licence at Sai Yuen Lane on the same day.
The trio was among the first batch of defendants charged with rioting since the wave of anti-government protests broke out over the now-withdrawn extradition bill last June.