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Hong Kong protests: three convicted of rioting and other charges over airport chaos, assault on mainland Chinese reporter
- They were identified through media footage of the incident, in which a sit-in crippled airport services for days
- Mainland journalist Fu Guohao was tied up and attacked by protesters who questioned his identity
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Why you can trust SCMP
Three protesters have been convicted of rioting and other charges over an anti-government demonstration at Hong Kong’s airport two years ago, where a mainland Chinese journalist was assaulted.
The District Court on Wednesday held the trio responsible for the overnight chaos at the air hub between August 13 and 14, 2019, after the judge confirmed their involvement in the violence against Fu Guohao through media footage of the incident.
The judge acquitted a fourth defendant, however, after ruling the footage was not clear enough for his case.
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The latest verdict brings the number of defendants convicted at trial of rioting in relation to the social unrest in 2019 to five, compared to 17 acquittals. Eight others have pleaded guilty to the charge, punishable by 10 years in prison, without going to trial.
How Hong Kong airport protests ended in chaos
Wednesday’s case centred on Fu’s detention and assault at the height of a sit-in by protesters at the airport.
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