HONG KONG:  , A Hong Kong social worker was found guilty of rioting during the city’s 2019 democracy protests, with the court on Tuesday ( Mar 11 ) rejecting her claim of being a mediator and ruling that she encouraged people to resist police.
To quell the huge protest movement that engulfed much of the town in 2019 and 2020, Hong Kong imposed a sweeping regional security rules and launched a crackdown that is grinding through the courts. Almost 3, 000 persons have been convicted in the span of five years.
The social employer, Jackie Chen, argued that she had tried to de-escalate a fight between protesters and officers in August 2019 and did not intend on taking part in a mob.
She was acquitted in 2020 but her situation was sent to a lawsuit after prosecutors won on appeal.
Deputy city determine Does Chung ruled on Tuesday that Chen had shouted “provocative” thoughts that implied officers used excessive force.
” Through her words and acts, ( Chen ) expressed her support of the protesters… which bolstered their determination and confidence to resist the police”, the judge wrote.
The prosecutor added that the “overwhelming finish” from circumstantial evidence was that Chen intended to take part in the mob.
Those found guilty of fighting in the district judge experience a maximum prison term of seven years.
After the conviction, Chen told followers in the open exhibition to “take care”.
” Just because ( the government ) disagrees with us, that doesn’t mean we did anything wrong”, she told AFP before the hearing, adding that she would face the outcome with equanimity.
Chen was remanded in custody for punishment on Apr 9.