Leave political opinions to one side when deciding guilt, judge tells jurors in Mong Kok riot case

A Hong Kong pro-independence activist standing trial for a riot that gripped one of the city’s busiest neighbourhoods three years ago should not be judged solely on his political affiliation, a judge reminded a jury on Wednesday.

Rather, the jury of five women and four men should rule strictly in accordance with what they observed Edward Leung Tin-kei had done, based on the evidence presented to them, High Court Judge Mr Justice Albert Wong Sung-hau said. The panel will soon deliberate a verdict on Leung and his three co-defendants.

Wong said that while Leung’s political group might have been caught taking part in the clashes of February 8, 2016, he asked the jury to consider his act separately in a summing-up speech that marked the imminent end of the four-month trial.

Leung, 26, a former spokesman of independence group Hong Kong Indigenous, had been in the dock since November with three other co-defendants, who have pleaded not guilty to charges of rioting during the unrest that beset Mong Kok on the eve of Lunar New Year till the next morning.

Acknowledging the sensitivity of the trial – in light of Leung’s political background – Wong on Wednesday told the jury they should leave their sentiments to one side.

“Do not incorporate morals, political leanings and personal feelings [into your judgment],” Wong said. “Don’t let certain strong perspectives on things affect your findings.”