Ex-reps convicted of unlawful assembly
HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court found two pro-independence activists guilty of unlawful assembly inside the legislature while they were still lawmakers, dealing a further blow to waning political dissent in the Chinese-ruled territory.
Opposition leaders and supporters are fighting multiple court cases and yesterday’s verdict in Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts is likely to further dent the confidence of activists calling for full democracy, or even outright independence for the former British colony, a red line for Beijing.
Baggio Leung, 31, and Yau Waiching, 26, were democratically elected and then dramatically ousted from the Legislative Council for the way in which they took their oaths, criticising China, in late 2016.
Before they were officially disqualified, the pair tried to barge into a room along with at least eight assistants, scuffling with security officers meanwhile.
“Regardless of whether they were still Legislative Council members on that day, they would not be exempt- ed from criminal liability on account of their capacity as council members,” wrote magistrate Wong Sze-lai in the 65-page verdict.
“Their acts were likely to cause any person reasonably to fear that the persons so assembled would commit a breach of the peace.”
Three assistants were also found guilty of the same charge.
Leung and Yau said they would decide whether to appeal after sentencing on June 4, but that they were “actively considering it”.