Hong Kong protests: two charged over Sunday’s demonstrations against national security law
- People Power’s Tam Tak-chi in court accused of public disorder and holding an unauthorised assembly; student Wong Ho-yin faces riot and wounding charges
- The allegations relate to Sunday’s protests against Beijing's planned national security law for Hong Kong
People Power vice-chairman Tam Tak-chi, 48, on Monday appeared in Eastern Court to face three charges after he was held for 46 hours following his arrest for unlawful assembly.
The same court also heard the case of Wong Ho-yin, 16, which was brought for mention, but the student did not show up to face charges of riot and wounding, over the assault of a woman identified only as X, because he was still in hospital.
The pair were among more than 190 people arrested – mostly on suspicion of unauthorised assembly, unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct in a public place – along the streets of Causeway Bay and Wan Chai on May 24.
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The protests erupted just hours after Vice-Premier Han Zheng, the state leader in charge of Hong Kong affairs, told local delegates to the national legislature that Beijing’s determination to push through the national security law should not be underestimated, and that mainland authorities would “implement it till the end”.
Tam was charged with one count of disorder in public places and another of holding or convening an unauthorised assembly in relation to a gathering at the junction of East Point Road and Great George Street in Causeway Bay.
He was also charged with one count of refusing or wilfully neglecting to obey an order given by a police officer to disperse prohibited group gatherings, contrary to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation enacted during the coronavirus pandemic.
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But he was not required to indicate his plea to any of the charges as Magistrate Lam Tsz-kan adjourned the case to August 18, pending further police investigation.
Tam was released on HK$2,000 (US$258) bail with the condition that he reported to police once a week and resided at the given address.
Wong’s case was similarly adjourned, to May 29. But he could be brought to court on his discharge from hospital.
Chief Inspector Lo Yin-lam said a woman was attacked by four people in Tin Hau at about 2.30pm on Sunday when she attempted to clear the rubbish bins and metal barricades obstructing the traffic.
The assailants were said to have punched, kicked and hit the woman with a bamboo stick before they fled the scene.
But the woman gave chase, caught a suspect and reported the case to nearby officers, Lo said.
She was sent to hospital but discharged on the same day.
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