Hong Kong protests: 9 remanded in custody ahead of sentencing for rioting during 2019 PolyU siege
- Court convicts seven men, two women in light of ‘overwhelming’ evidence group took part in large-scale disturbance near Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019
- Judge Anthony Kwok says group’s ‘presence must have been direct support for, and encouragement to, protesters to commit a breach of the peace in society’
The District Court on Monday convicted the seven men and two women, aged between 22 and 29, in light of “overwhelming” evidence of their participation in the large-scale disturbance that erupted around 1.5km from the Polytechnic University (PolyU) campus in Hung Hom on November 18 that year.
Judge Anthony Kwok Kai-on rejected the exculpatory remarks advanced by some of the accused and said they had no reasonable excuses for their presence that night after a “fierce battle” between protesters and police at a road junction in Yau Ma Tei.
“The cumulative effect of the circumstantial evidence submitted by the prosecution is overwhelming without a doubt,” he told the court.
“To those who deliberately remained at the scene of a riot, even if they had done nothing there, as long as they assembled together with the rioters, their presence must have been direct support for, and encouragement to, protesters to commit a breach of the peace in society.”
One of the defendants, divinity school student Ng Yuet-kiu, 29, claimed the respirator and goggles he carried to the scene were tools he intended to use to teach young Christians at his church about “the armour of God” for the “spiritual war” referenced in the Bible.
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Inside PolyU
Kwok found the explanation unbelievable and said the equipment bore no resemblance to any of the protective items mentioned by the Christian text.
Another defendant, 26-year-old courier O Chun-ming, maintained he was caught up in the chaos after visiting a nearby massage parlour offering illicit vice services, but the judge found no justification for him to join other protesters instead of avoiding the gathering.
Ng was also convicted of possessing an article with intent to destroy or damage property after a bottle of spray paint was found in his possession when he was apprehended.
Others found guilty of rioting were stage technician Lui Hiu-tin, 28, jobless Mui Chun-ho, 26, Chinese chiropractor Ng Cheuk-wang, 26, taekwondo coach On Chun-yin, 23, and headhunter Poon Yi-ching, 28, as well as students Tai Cheuk-yan, 22, and Wong Chi-yung, 25.
The nine were incarcerated until sentencing on May 16. A 10th defendant, 27-year-old nurse Yu Ka-ching, who pleaded guilty before the trial began last year, had already been remanded in custody and will also be sentenced that day.
The university witnessed some of the worst violence during the months-long unrest triggered by a proposed extradition bill in June 2019, which was later scrapped.
Protesters occupied the university and barricaded the campus to challenge riot police attempting to arrest them.
About 2,000 people gathered near the railway station at 10.30pm on November 18. An estimated 250 petrol bombs were hurled at police in the space of 50 minutes, causing fires at several spots along Nathan Road.
Officers fired about 400 rounds of tear gas and rubber bullets and used nine tear gas grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
The 213 people were arrested in a section of Nathan Road between Waterloo Road and Hamilton Street at around 11.26pm.
The 213 were divided into 17 groups for trial. Convictions have been secured against 89 defendants so far. Two were acquitted after trial and three have absconded.
Sentences previously imposed ranged from 29 to 64 months in jail and a period of detention at a training centre.
