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Eddie Lee

Unrest in Mong Kok last year did not amount to a “riot” under the law, a court heard on Friday.
Barrister Erik Shum Sze-man, who was making his closing submission at a trial of three people accused of rioting, said the city’s law defined the offence narrowly.

He was arguing for 23-year-old university student Hui Ka-ki. She, student Mak Tsz-hei, 20, and cook Sit Tat-wing, 33, face one joint charge of rioting. The three have pleaded not guilty and will face their verdicts on March 16.
On the morning of February 9, 2016, dozens of protesters gathered on the northbound lane of Nathan Road near Soy Street, ­according to the prosecution, following a confrontation between local crowds and police over hawker control the previous night.
Glass bottles hurled at Hong Kong police during Mong Kok riot, court hears
On the day of the protests, ­police sent in reinforcements as tensions escalated.
A group of people formed a barricade and blocked part of ­Nathan Road.
No repeat of last year’s riot as street food hawkers serve up party atmosphere in Mong Kok
Some of them came close to the police line of defence and ­began throwing various objects, including glass bottles, at officers.
Shum yesterday did not ­contest his client’s presence at the scene.
No one was actually harmed in the course of the event. No property was damaged
Erik Shum Sze-man, barrister
But he argued the student’s mere presence would not be ­sufficient to impose criminal ­liability on her.
While she might have taken part in an unlawful assembly, Shum said, her alleged conduct did not amount to rioting, for which the punishment would be more severe.
“No one was actually harmed in the course of the event. No property was damaged,” he said, adding that no one had ever claimed ownership of the objects hurled at police.
The lawyer also contested the evidence presented by the prosecution. He said no “reasonable person” could conclude from the recorded footage that Hui, who was found among the crowds at the time, had actually thrown ­bottles at police.
“Police cameras didn’t ­capture the face of the woman [who threw bottles],” Shum said.
The hearing continues before District Court judge Sham Siu-man.




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Mong Kok riot

Lunar New Year clashes in Mong Kok did not amount to riot, court told

Dozens of protesters gathered on Nathan Road near Soy Street on February 9 last year after a confrontation with police over hawker control. Photo: Edward Wong

Hui Ka-ki appears at the District Court in Wan Chai. Hui faces a charge of rioting in Mong Kok during Lunar New Year in 2016. 06FEB17 [DCCC 710/2016] SCMP/ K. Y. Cheng

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Hong Kong

Law and Crime

Barrister also claims client’s presence at tense scene not enough to impose criminal liability


Lunar New Year