People turned out to support Hong Kong Indigenous spokesman Edward Leung, as he appealed at the High Court against his jail sentence for his role in the 2016 Mong Kok riots.
His lawyer said it was inappropriate for Leung to bear responsibility over rioting incidents that happened later that night.
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(Aired on ViuTVSix on 9 October 2019.)
Full Script:
A court hearing that drew a crowd of masked protesters.
Hundreds of people turned out in support of Edward Leung’s appeal against a six-year jail sentence, which he’s currently serving for rioting and assaulting police.
Supporters of the former Hong Kong Indigenous spokesman waved banners as he arrived at court with two other appellants Lo Kin-man and Wong Ka-kui in a Correctional Services van.
In the courtroom, clips were replayed of the violence from February 2016.
A government crackdown on unlicensed street hawkers turned into a violent brawl between localists and police.
Leung’s lawyer says he’ll only appeal against his jail term, but not his conviction.
Defence counsel Lawrence Lok argued that Leung did not join a premeditated, organised attack that night as the trial judge determined, and was wearing a mask and helmet for his own protection.
Lok also said other protesters in the clashes who engaged in more serious actions like brick-throwing and arson got more lenient sentences than Leung.
The defence said it was inappropriate for the trial judge to decide that Leung must bear criminal responsibility over rioting incidents that happened later that night.
But prosecutor David Leung replied that any defendant charged with rioting wouldn’t have their actions looked at in isolation, the court would also consider the level and scale of the violence involved in the whole of the riot.
The prosecution also noted that many who participated in the violence that night were wearing Hong Kong Indigenous shirts.
Edward Leung catapulted to fame and mainstream acceptance after the phrase “Liberate Hong Kong, the revolution of our times” which he used in his 2016 election run was adopted in the anti-extradition protests.
It has since been widened into a phrase used by the political movement for universal suffrage.
The hearing ended today with Leung being transported inside a prison vehicle, while crowds were cheering on the streets outside.
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