Hong Kong protests: thwarted plotters planned to use 2 bombs with 10kg in explosives to target police, court hears

Prosecution urges panel of nine jurors to set aside political views and focus on evidence in trial of six over conspiracy to commit bombing

‘If it was successfully detonated, it could have caused severe casualties and property loss within a 400-metre radius,’ ballistics report cited in court says

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The case is being heard at the High Court. Photo: Warton Li

Published: 6:15pm, 23 Apr 2024Updated: 7:57pm, 23 Apr 2024

A thwarted bomb plot targeting Hong Kong police and civilians would have used two devices containing a total of 10kg (22lbs) of explosives, with the second producing a blast radius of 400 metres (1,312 feet), a court has heard.

Prosecutor Juliana Chow Hoi-ling on Tuesday urged a panel of nine jurors on the first day of the anti-terrorism law trial at the High Court to set aside their political views and focus on whether the evidence showed the six defendants had made “an agreement” to carry out the plot planned for December 8, 2019.

The six – Cheung Chun-fu, Cheung Ming-yu, Yim Man-him, Christian Lee Ka-tin, Lai Chun-pong and Justin Hui Cham-wing – were jointly charged with a count of conspiracy to commit the bombing of prescribed objects under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance.

A seventh defendant, Lau Pui-ying, is also standing trial on a conspiracy charge of providing or collecting property to commit terrorist acts.

The prosecution on Tuesday cited a ballistic report stating the larger bomb contained 8kg of explosives and about 150 nails, with the device to be planted close to police headquarters in Wan Chai.

“If it was successfully detonated, it could have caused severe casualties and property loss within a 400-metre radius,” the report said.