The dropped charges were inciting others to commit criminal damage, arson and cause public nuisance.

The court heard Hui was the owner and also in charge of the Telegram channel, which had more than 20,000 subscribers and had sent out 2,064 messages before it was removed by police following his arrest in May 2020. Non-subscribers could also access the channel.

The messages, occasionally sent with videos and photos, included posts to teach protesters how to use “fire magic”, referring to petrol bombs to throw at police, and employ mud to block filters of water cannon trucks. A link was also set up in October 2019 for participants to report information to administrators.

During the trial, prosecutors played some of the videos posted to the channel and found on Hui’s personal computer, including footage showing how to attack people and use explosive substances.

But a prosecutor agreed with Deputy District Judge Winnie Lau Yee-wan that Hui mostly forwarded messages from other users, even before the reporting link was set up, while there was no direct evidence proving he had created any of the content posted in the channel himself.

Defence lawyer Douglas Kwok King-hin said Hui did not think about the serious consequences that could ensue as a result of setting up the channel as he was affected by the social atmosphere at the time.

Telegram channel operator gets 6½ years’ jail in Hong Kong for inciting violence

Kwok said Hui had also used his time behind bars while he was remanded in custody to seek further study, including English courses, adding that it was unlikely he would commit a serious criminal offence again as he had a strong support system including his parents and friends.

The lawyer pleaded for a sentence shorter than 5½ years. He said the number of subscribers was five times smaller than another Telegram channel called “SUCK”, which was popular among protesters during the 2019 social unrest.

The operator of “SUCK” was previously convicted of seven incitement charges and sentenced in May to 6½ years in jail.

“Although the information provided on the channel was similar to that provided on the ‘SUCK’ channel, it did not tell [subscribers] what time, what location or what to do. It was simply forwarded information,” Kwok said.

The judge adjourned sentencing to September 26.

Separately, five people were sentenced from 37 to 48 months in prison over their appearance at a demonstration aimed at lifting a police siege on anti-government protesters occupying Polytechnic University three years ago.

Aaron Jim Yat-long, 26, Leung On-sang, 26, Angela Leung King-chee, 46 and Leung On-yat, 23 had pleaded not guilty but were convicted of a riot charge, while Fung Wai-yan, 28, admitted the count before the trial.

Hong Kong student jailed for 2½ years over rioting role during PolyU siege

District Judge Anthony Kwok Kai-on said despite there being no direct evidence proving the five defendants took part in the riot, their appearance at the scene had encouraged others to commit acts that led to a breach of the peace.

“Even taking into consideration the most favourable evidence for the defendants, their appearance at the protest has already proven the doctrine of joint enterprise to riot,” he said.

He added that although he felt “frustrated” over giving long-term prison sentences as each defendant had a good background with some being well-educated, their actions were “serious” as they had assembled with protesters who threw petrol bombs at police.

Kwok granted a four-month deduction of the jail term to all defendants, saying they had clear records and had shown good character. Fung’s guilty plea was also taken into account for shortening her sentence to 37 months.