Hong Kong protests: firefighter with petrol bombs is first member of fire services sentenced over 2019 unrest, gets 34 months’ jail
- Judge says he gives ‘very little to no weight’ to Fong Chi-hung’s excellent service record, considering seriousness of the charges
- Co-defendants Chiu Ho-chun and Lam Chin-to handed sentences of 28 months’ jail and correctional training of up to nine months, respectively
A Hong Kong firefighter has been sentenced to 34 months’ jail for his role in an illegal 2019 anti-government protest where he was arrested with petrol bombs and other weapons in his possession.
The case centred on a demonstration in Mong Kok on November 10, 2019, when protesters responded to online calls to occupy roads in multiple districts and chant slogans in shopping malls, with violent clashes with police ensuing in some areas.
In jailing the 34-year-old on Friday, District Court Judge Timothy Casewell said participation in an unlawful assembly involving violence warranted imprisonment, and that he could give “very little to no weight” to the firefighter’s excellent performance over a decade in the city’s fire services.
The judge also sentenced two co-defendants – 26-year-old bank worker Chiu Ho-chun and 17-year-old student Lam Chin-to – to 26 months in jail and correctional training of up to nine months, respectively, for their roles in the protest.
Fong pleaded guilty to five charges, including taking part in an unlawful assembly, possessing items with intent to damage property, possessing prohibited weapons, resisting a police officer and unlicensed possession of radio communications apparatus.
