Hong Kong student shot by officer during protests last year has applied to drop out of school, court hears
- Chow Pak-kwan, 21, had a kidney and half of his liver removed after he was shot while allegedly trying to steal policeman’s revolver in Sai Wan Ho
- Court hears Chow is unable to concentrate on his studies and requires counselling, while officer and his family were subject to death threats and doxxing
West Kowloon Court also heard on Tuesday that the officer, who was granted anonymity by Principal Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen, had become a victim of doxxing and received death threats after he fired a live round at Chow Pak-kwan in Sai Wan Ho during the protest last November.
Chow, 21, appeared in the dock for the first time on Tuesday for allegedly attempting to steal the gun of the officer, named “A” in court, near the junction of Tai On Street, Shau Kei Wan Road and Shing On Street on the morning of November 11.
He was jointly charged alongside student Woo Tsz-kin, 20, with attempted robbery and wilfully obstructing a police officer. He also faced an additional count of attempted escape from lawful custody. The pair were not required to enter a plea, as the magistrate adjourned the case to allow time for the prosecution to prepare legal documents necessary in moving the case to the District Court.
The two defendants were each granted bail at HK$3,000 (US$387) cash and HK$5,000 surety, on condition they remained in Hong Kong and obeyed a curfew between 11pm and 7am every day.
Robbery is punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment but is capped at seven years at the District Court. The two other charges carry a maximum of two years’ jail.