Former RTHK reporter cleared of charges relating to carrying toy guns and walkie-talkie near Hong Kong Police College

A former part-time RTHK reporter has been cleared of charges relating to the illegal possession of imitation firearms and radio apparatus near the Hong Kong Police College last year after a magistrate accepted that the items were props for a school project.

Hong Kong Design Institute graduate Hung Ka-wing was acquitted of the charges at Eastern Court on Wednesday, after he provided documentary proof which showed that two air guns and a walkie-talkie seized from him were used in the production of a 30-minute science fiction movie.

The 22-year-old, who now works as a cook, was stopped for an identity check at Ocean Park MTR station when he was on his way to cover performances as a reporter at an open house event at the police academy in Wong Chuk Hang for public broadcaster RTHK on April 15 last year.

The event was part of an official campaign that said it was celebrating the restoration of public order and advocating resistance against foreign interference after the imposition of a national security law in June 2020.

Hung was charged with illegal possession of imitation firearms and radio apparatus.

In a police interview, Hung said he had borrowed the air pistols from a friend and bought the walkie-talkie at a flea market in Sham Shui Po. He said he had brought the items to work that day as he had stayed over at a friend’s home the previous day to celebrate the completion of the film.

In Wednesday’s verdict, Magistrate Leung Ka-kie said Hung had drawn suspicion on himself by carrying the air guns and walkie-talkie while failing to bring his press credentials to the police event intended for school pupils.

Hong Kong doctor jailed over fatal beauty treatment mishap loses appeal

However, Leung said she could not guarantee that the accused had intended to endanger public safety, in light of the film script and screenshots provided by him to support his claim.

The magistrate further held that Hung had a reasonable excuse for keeping the walkie-talkie in question, as he was misled by a shopkeeper at the Sham Shui Po flea market who told him that the device could be used without approval from the Communications Authority.

Possession of imitation firearms carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail. Unlicensed possession of radio apparatus is punishable by two years in prison and a HK$50,000 (US$6,400) fine when the case is heard before a magistrate.