Unemployed Hong Kong man admits involvement in rubbish bin blast outside Legco complex
Incident happened shortly after lawmakers adjourned debate on controversial copyright bill labelled ‘Internet Article 23’
An unemployed man has admitted his involvement in an incident in which a handmade explosive device blew up inside a rubbish bin outside the Legislative Council in 2015.
Ip Cheuk-yin admitted in the District Court on Thursday that he was the lookout when his accomplice ignited a gas canister outside the Legco complex on December 9, 2015 before shoving it into a rubbish bin.
The canister exploded, damaging the bin worth HK$1,250 and sending its lid about 30cm into the air. It also caused a nearby public toilet’s fire alarm to go off, the court heard.
The offence took place just hours after Legco adjourned its debate on a controversial copyright bill. Ip was involved in a protest with others he contacted over the internet during the day.
Ip, 20, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit arson. His co-defendant Yeung Yat-long, 23, denied the same charge.
