Prosecutors detail the unrest five accused allegedly caused during the explosive Mong Kok riot in 2016
Well-known pro-independence activist Edward Leung and four others are facing a host of charges, including one count of inciting others to riot during the Lunar New Year two years ago
As Hong Kong prosecutors wrapped up their opening statement for a high-profile riot trial on Thursday, their allegations against five men – including one well-known pro-independence activist – gave a vivid picture of the violent unrest that unfolded in Mong Kok two years ago.
LATEST: ‘Mainland tourist’ disrupts Mong Kok riot trial by taking court photos
While the city celebrated the Lunar New Year, a crowd clashed with police on February 8, 2016, and the mayhem stretched into the night, only ending the next morning and obstructing Argyle Street, Fa Yuen Street, Portland Street, and Shan Tung Street in the process.
Prosecutors accused Edward Leung Tin-kei, formerly of the pro-independence Hong Kong Indigenous group, together with his colleague Ray Wong Toi-yeung, of inciting a sizeable crowd at Portland Street. Wong is not a defendant in this case.
Instead, Leung and four others are facing a host of charges related to the incident, which spilled over to other streets, with bricks, rubbish bins and glass bottles being launched as missiles to target police officers.
Some streets were also set on fire, the prosecutors said.
Here are their detailed allegations against each defendant:
Prosecutors accuse Hong Kong activist Edward Leung of inciting crowd on first day of Mong Kok riot trial
Edward Leung Tin-kei