Nine protesters were convicted of rioting today for participating in a gathering during a protest in Tsim Sha Tsui in 2019.
According to the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, the seven men and two women, aged between 22 and 32, participated in a gathering in the district of Yau Tsim Mong on October 1, three years ago, for a demonstration against the government and the extradition bill.
Telescopic batons, folding knives, and laser pointers were seized from the defendants when they were restrained and arrested by the police.
Judge Kathie Cheung Kit-Yee ruled the nine defendants were definitely not innocent according to their appearance and belongings on the scene, claiming they were well-prepared for the riot.
During the court, one of the defendants claimed the handcuffs confiscated by the police from him was a present he wanted to send to an acquaintance, and another said his laser pointers were old belongings that he forgot to take out.
However, the judge dismissed their statements.
Two of the defendants, who failed to appear in court due to their health conditions, will be on trial tomorrow and Thursday.
The nine will face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment once sentenced by the judge.
Telescopic batons, folding knives, and laser pointers were seized from the defendants when they were restrained and arrested by the police.
Judge Kathie Cheung Kit-Yee ruled the nine defendants were definitely not innocent according to their appearance and belongings on the scene, claiming they were well-prepared for the riot.
During the court, one of the defendants claimed the handcuffs confiscated by the police from him was a present he wanted to send to an acquaintance, and another said his laser pointers were old belongings that he forgot to take out.
However, the judge dismissed their statements.
Two of the defendants, who failed to appear in court due to their health conditions, will be on trial tomorrow and Thursday.
The nine will face a maximum of 10 years imprisonment once sentenced by the judge.