Hong Kong’s first trial over 2019 Yuen Long mob attack opens after anonymity order for eyewitnesses, victims
- Six people stand accused of belonging to the mostly white-clad group who attacked protesters and commuters in and around Yuen Long MTR station on July 21, 2019
- They are facing a raft of charges relating to rioting and wounding with intent
The District Court case centres on three incidents, beginning with the first clashes between a mob of men in white and protesters and commuters at Yuen Long MTR station at 10.40pm on July 21, then others around Exit J after midnight on July 22, which then subsequently spilled into the connected Yoho Mall.
Prosecutors said none of the six defendants were arrested at the scene, but maintained all were caught on camera during the attacks. One defendant also admitted he had been present at the scene, while three others were further identified by witnesses during line-ups.
However, none of those witnesses can be named, as district Judge Eddie Yip Chor-man barred the identification of the injured victims and eyewitnesses.
These 16 protected witnesses will be allowed access to court through a special passage, and will testify from behind a screen shielding them from the public. All six defendants have pleaded not guilty to a raft of rioting and wounding charges.
Four of them were said to be among the 50 white-shirted men who clashed with a group of about 100 mostly black-clad people in the station’s concourse, and later on board a Tuen Mun-bound train.