Hong Kong protests: teen who was among 12 fugitives detained in Shenzhen sent to training centre for flight attempt, petrol bomb

A Hong Kong teenager has been sentenced to serve time in a training centre for hurling a petrol bomb at a police station in the hope of killing officers during the social unrest of 2019, and for joining 11 others in a thwarted attempt to flee to Taiwan last summer.

Hoang Lam-phuc, 17, was the first of 12 Hong Kong fugitives arrested in mainland Chinese waters last year to admit charges in relation to the unsuccessful flight attempt and the 2019 anti-government protests, sparked by a now-withdrawn extradition bill.

Detention terms in training centres can range from six months to three years, depending on the teenage offender’s performance in custody, where he or she will be taught a trade.

The District Court heard the Vietnam-born defendant had wanted to leave Hong Kong at a time when he was feeling lost and wanted to “reset life”, so he began searching online for means to go to Taiwan.

Prosecutors said the escape plan had been detailed and organised, with the accomplices sharing responsibility for setting up safe houses, buying necessary supplies and funding their trip. Hoang did not contribute, however, and others paid his HK$150,000 (US$19,303) fee.

The group departed by speedboat from Po Toi O, in Sai Kung, under the guise of a fishing trip on the morning of August 23, 2020.

However, the fugitives were scooped up by the Chinese coastguard that same morning after their Taiwan-bound vessel unlawfully entered mainland waters, and were subsequently detained in Shenzhen.

Hoang escaped prosecution on the mainland due to his age, but was handed back to Hong Kong authorities on December 30 to face trial on charges of attempted arson with intent.

Most of the 12 aboard the speedboat had been out on bail on the condition they remain in Hong Kong. One, Andy Li Yu-hin, was being investigated under the Beijing-imposed national security law, and another, Quinn Moon, was wanted for her alleged involvement in an explosives case.

Hoang was arrested in the early hours of October 14, 2019, for hurling a petrol bomb at Mong Kok Police Station, and for keeping three more of the incendiary devices at his home.

In a WhatsApp exchange, the 17-year-old had said he was determined to avenge “martyrs” by killing “popo” – a slang term for police.

His accomplice in this case, construction worker Lam Siu-hung, 21, was jailed for 40 months last October for his role in the attack.

Under caution in the present case, Hoang admitted that he had begun looking for ways to escape to Taiwan to evade criminal liability in the firebombing case since March last year.

On Instagram, he found other accomplices, who introduced him to Quinn.

Hong Kong teen who was among 12 fugitives held in Shenzhen pleads guilty

The following month, he left the home he was supposed to remain at as part of his bail conditions and hid out in different safe houses.

He was also told the fee for his escape would be sponsored by others, because he was only a student, but that he should remember to bring his court documents, such as his bail form, to show their contact at the Mainland Affairs Council of Taiwan as proof he was a protester and in need of protection.

Prosecutors said there were still accomplices at large, some of whom had already left Hong Kong.

Earlier this month, Hoang pleaded guilty to the attempted arson charge and possessing articles with intent to damage or destroy property.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to an additional charge of perverting the course of public justice.

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In mitigation, defence counsel Chris Ng said his client regretted his involvement in violent protests, urging the court to choose a sentence that would help Hoang to get back on track.

Reading from his mitigation letter, Ng said Hoang had wanted to return to his studies after his arrest, but schools had been suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving him with nothing to do but spend time online.

It was then that he became influenced by others into thinking he could leave Hong Kong and start over, and foolishly went along without considering his responsibilities, Ng said.

Judge Frankie Yiu Fun-che said Hoang’s case was serious, as he had displayed contempt for the law and disregarded the consequences.

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“Had the defendant successfully fled to Taiwan, it would have been difficult to repatriate him, and that would obviously harm justice and the public interest,” the judge said.

Yiu said the charges should have warranted a jail term of six years, or four years after a one-third discount to credit the guilty plea.

But Yiu also noted that Hoang was a cooperative 16-year-old with a clear record at the time of the offence, and had already been remanded for a year – including four months on the mainland.

The judge concluded that detention in a training centre was the most suitable sentencing option.