Four demonstrators, namely Leung Kwok-hung (April 5th Action Group),
Tsang Kin-shing (ex-legislator, Democratic Party), Lau San-ching, Ku
Sze-yiu, who clashed with the police on the first handover anniversary (July
1, 1998) are charged for "breach of peace". Both Leung and Tsang said the
charge is a "political trial" and vow to continue to fight for their right to
freedom of expression.
Subpeonas are issued on November 19 by Eastern District Magistracy to
four demonstrators who clashed with the police on the handover
anniversary. They are charged for "breach of peace" in Wanchai, near the
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where PRC president Jiang
Zemin was attending a handover anniversary celebration function.
According to the public order ordinance, the highest sentence for those
convicted can be fined for HK$5,000 and imprisoned for 12 months. The
trial will open on December 21.
Tsang said the reason why it takes almost five months for the police presses
the charge is that this is a political trial. There were about 20 demonstrators
who clashed with the police on that day and only four are charged. It is
obvious that the police are targeting those demonstrators whom they
dislike. Leung Kwok-hung said his own view is that the complaint filed by
Lau San-ching and him over the Beethoven Incident has embarrassed the
police and that is why they are charged.
During the handover date (July 1, 1997), police used high-volume stereo
system to drown out the protests of the demonstrators. Lau and Leung then
filed a complaint against the police for violating their right to demonstrate.
Before the first handover anniversary, demonstrators try to negotiate with
the police to reach an arrangement which allowed their demonstration to be
seen and heard by the visiting Chinese leaders, but to no avail.
At the handover anniversary, the demonstrators tried to breakthough the
police cordon in order to get near to the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre but failed after repeated attempts. During the scuffle, one
of the female demonstrators Liu Yuk-ling was arrested but then released in
45 minutes. She has not been charged so far. The demonstrators then
burned a coffin marked with the words "Butcher Regime Stinks Forever" as
a sign of protest. |
