Hong Kong protests: former university instructor arrested at rally jailed one year on weapons charges
- Sam Ka-lam was carrying a crossbow and bolts when police detained him at a protest in Wan Chai on January 1
- Magistrate rejects claims Sam was a bystander, noting he was carrying a large amount of protective gear at the time
Eastern Court Magistrate Cheang Kei-hong on Thursday convicted Sam Ka-lam of one count of possessing offensive weapons in a public place and one count of possessing offensive weapons with intent. He was arrested outside Wu Chung House in Wan Chai near the demonstration on January 1.
Prosecutors said the 37-year-old former guest lecturer at Education University had taken a home-made crossbow, 18 wooden bolts and protest materials to the rally.
Similar weapons and raw materials for building them were found inside his flat at Wang Tau Hom Estate in Wong Tai Sin, the court had heard. He intended to use them in future protests, prosecutors said.
Sam, who now works at a biomedical firm, said he kept the weapons as part of his role as a scout leader teaching archery to children and teenagers. He said he had gone to Hong Kong Island that day to watch the protest with a woman friend from mainland China.