Hong Kong protests: judge acquits student of arson charge after casting doubt on police testimony
- District Court clears Abilkaiyr Nukpi of attempted arson, as judge points to inconsistencies in testimony of sergeant who arrested him, and the account of exhibit officer
- The 20-year-old student was accused of igniting a petrol bomb at an anti-government demonstration on November 18, 2019
A Kazakhstani student on trial in Hong Kong for allegedly igniting a petrol bomb at a protest two years ago has been acquitted after the judge suggested police might have fabricated the allegation.
The District Court cleared Abilkaiyr Nukpi of attempted arson on Monday, as the judge pointed to inconsistencies in the testimony of the acting sergeant who apprehended the 20-year-old, as well as the account provided by the police officer responsible for handling the evidence.
District Judge Sham Siu-man said the arresting officer, surnamed Yim, had failed to explain why he made no attempt at the scene to recover the lighter allegedly used by the defendant, which was an “important piece of evidence” in the prosecution’s case.
Similar concerns were also raised over the testimony of the exhibit officer, who initially said in his written statement the sergeant found the orange lighter in question in the defendant’s backpack, but when in the witness box claimed the sergeant did not know about the lighter’s existence at the scene.
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Sham said the change of stance might be an attempt by the exhibit officer to back up Yim, adding he found no merit in either officers’ testimony.