The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday laid charges against four people for sharing social media posts by former lawmakers and activists, including exiled Ted Hui Chi-fung, to incite others not to vote during the 2021 Legislative Council election.
The four are physiotherapist Wong Chi-yan, 42; unemployed Mabel Yick, 58; graphic designer Wu Hong-ki, 44; and financial dealer Kwok Kin-chiu, 29.
They each face one count of engaging in illegal conduct to incite another person not to vote, or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period between October 30 and December 19, 2021, in violation of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
Wong and Yick allegedly shared a social media post by Hui, where he incited others to cast a blank vote during the election period.
Wu allegedly shared another social media post by Sunny Cheung Kwan-yang, the former spokesperson of Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation, where Cheung incited others not to vote in the election.
As for Kwok, he allegedly displayed a social media post – originally published by former Sha Tin District Councilor Yau Man-chun – to incite others not to vote.
The four defendants have been released on bail and will appear in the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on Friday (Nov 11).
Hui, Yau, and Cheung have left Hong Kong, and the court has issued arrest warrants for the trio.
It is understood that Hui is now in Australia. In August, Hui was reportedly splashed with water and verbally threatened in a Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng there.
They each face one count of engaging in illegal conduct to incite another person not to vote, or to cast invalid vote, by activity in public during election period between October 30 and December 19, 2021, in violation of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance.
Wong and Yick allegedly shared a social media post by Hui, where he incited others to cast a blank vote during the election period.
Wu allegedly shared another social media post by Sunny Cheung Kwan-yang, the former spokesperson of Hong Kong Higher Institutions International Affairs Delegation, where Cheung incited others not to vote in the election.
As for Kwok, he allegedly displayed a social media post – originally published by former Sha Tin District Councilor Yau Man-chun – to incite others not to vote.
The four defendants have been released on bail and will appear in the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on Friday (Nov 11).
Hui, Yau, and Cheung have left Hong Kong, and the court has issued arrest warrants for the trio.
It is understood that Hui is now in Australia. In August, Hui was reportedly splashed with water and verbally threatened in a Hong Kong-style cha chaan teng there.