Hong Kong protests: activist behind 2019 illegal march in Yuen Long after mob attack faces 5 years in jail
- Max Chung Kin-ping pleaded guilty to organising the unauthorised assembly in exchange for another charge being dropped
- Nearly 300,000 people believed to have showed up, despite police prohibiting the rally
A Hong Kong activist is facing five years in jail after pleading guilty to organising an unauthorised protest in 2019 against perceived police inaction over a mob attack at a railway station.
Max Chung Kin-ping, 42, admitted the charge at the District Court on Monday in exchange for prosecutors dropping a similar charge related to participating in an illegal procession in Yuen Long on July 27, 2019.
The march took place six days after more than 100 men clad in white assaulted protesters and commuters indiscriminately with rattan and wooden sticks at Yuen Long MTR station, leaving at least 45 people injured.
Seven men who joined the mob attack have been jailed for up to seven years. All have lodged an appeal against their convictions, while prosecutors are seeking to overturn the acquittal of an eighth suspect.
On Monday, the court heard that Chung had sought police permission for the 2019 rally, to “condemn the terrorist attack on the people in Yuen Long”. Police refused the request then, citing a risk of violent confrontations that might ensue.
In a press conference on July 26 that year, Chung appeared to have called off the meeting, but said he would welcome anyone visiting the northwestern residential town for shopping or sightseeing.