Hong Kong protests: Baptist University student reporter charged with obstructing police, resisting arrest
- Journalism student Nelson Tang allegedly obstructed a constable, before resisting arrest by a sergeant, at IFC Mall in Central on May 8
- Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai grants him bail at HK$500, but he will report to police once a week and stay at his home address
A student reporter at Baptist University has been charged with obstructing police and resisting arrest during an anti-government protest at a Hong Kong shopping centre five months ago.
Journalism student Nelson Tang Chak-man faces up to six months behind bars after he was charged with obstructing a police officer and resisting another in Eastern Court on Friday.
The 22-year-old allegedly obstructed a constable, before resisting arrest by a sergeant, when police were patrolling IFC Mall in Central during a lunchtime protest at around 1pm on May 8.
The police presence followed anonymous complaints that protesters had congregated in small numbers, breaching the government’s ban on gathering in public amid the coronavirus pandemic, to chant slogans and wave flags inside the mall.
Prosecutors only identified the officers as constable 23391 and station sergeant 50970 in their court filing.
Tang, who was on the editorial board of Baptist University’s student union, did not enter a plea on his first court appearance on Friday, as defence lawyer Stanley Ma Ho-fai sought more time to offer him legal advice.
Principal Magistrate Bina Chainrai granted Tang bail at HK$500 (US$64). He is required to report to police once a week and stay at his home address until the next hearing on January 8.