2 elderly mainland Chinese visitors arrested in Hong Kong on suspicion of begging by playing instrument, collecting money
- Man, 66, and woman, 73, who arrived in the city on Sunday appeared in court on charges of begging alms
- When police arrived at the scene after receiving a complaint, the visitors tried to escape but were stopped by officers
Two elderly visitors from mainland China have been arrested in Hong Kong after they were suspected of playing the erhu, a Chinese string instrument, and collecting money from passers-by.
The man, 66, and woman, 73, were charged with begging in a public place and brought before Eastern Court in Sai Wan Ho on Thursday afternoon, according to a source familiar with the case.
Officers were called at about 10pm on Tuesday after receiving a complaint accusing the couple of busking and using a bucket to collect money from passers-by in Yee Wo Street in Causeway Bay.
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As police arrived at the scene, the pair tried to escape but were stopped by officers, according to the force. Officers seized an erhu, a walking stick, a plastic bucket and HK$3,500 (US$446).
The woman appeared to have injured her left foot which was wrapped in bandages.
Police detained the pair on suspicion of begging alms in a public place – an offence punishable by up to a month in jail and a HK$2,000 fine for a first or second offence.
The arrests were made two days after the two mainlanders arrived on Sunday.
In Hong Kong, any person who walks around or stands in a public place, street or waterway to beg commits an offence and is liable on conviction under the Summary Offences Ordinance.
