Four Hong Kong men, including 19-year-old twins, have recently been sentenced to prison terms of up to three years for their involvement in the 2019 rioting during the extradition bill unrest. The sentencing came after a prolonged delay in their case being brought to justice, prompting the judge to reduce their sentences.Deputy District Judge David Cheung handed down a three-year jail term to Chow Chi-wan and Yuen Yan-lam for their participation in a protest in Admiralty on July 1, 2019. They were found guilty during a previous hearing. Additionally, Dai Ka-ping, a former member of the Hong Kong Baptist University Students’ Union, and his twin brother Dai Ka-ching were sent to a training center for a minimum of six months.The protest took place near the government headquarters in Admiralty on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s Handover from Britain to China. The situation escalated when some protesters broke into the Legislative Council that night, marking a spike in violence during the long-running protests in 2019. Reports indicate that several hundred protesters occupied roads and set up roadblocks, while others pointed laser pointers at the police. The four defendants were apprehended near Lung Wui Road during a police operation, but they were not brought to court to face rioting charges until October 2022, over three years after their arrests.In his ruling, Judge Cheung emphasized that the protesters had arrived prepared with face masks and helmets, indicating premeditation. While no one engaged in acts like hurling bricks or petrol bombs, the protest posed a significant threat. The judge noted that it took three months for the police to investigate the case and over two years for the Department of Justice to provide legal advice. Considering the extended delay, Cheung reduced the jail sentences of Chow and Yuen by three months, ultimately sentencing them to three years behind bars.As for the Dai twins, who were only 14 at the time of the offense, the judge cited their youth and susceptibility to social influences. Despite their preference for immediate imprisonment, the judge deemed them more suitable for a training center, which offers educational and vocational programs. The training center’s detention period is limited to three years for individuals aged between 14 and 20, with release subject to three years of supervision, including curfew requirements.The 2019 protests initially stemmed from opposition to an extradition bill that was later withdrawn, leading to broader demands for democracy and grievances against police conduct. Demonstrators called for an independent inquiry into law enforcement actions, amnesty for those arrested, and an end to labeling protests as “riots.”Kelly Ho, a seasoned journalist based in Hong Kong, has extensively covered political, legal, human rights, social welfare, and educational issues. With a background in journalism and politics from the University of Hong Kong, Kelly has closely followed the developments following the 2019 protests and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Her work reflects the evolving landscape of Hong Kong under the national security law imposed by Beijing. Prior to her current role at Hong Kong Free Press, Kelly reported on the 2019 unrest for South China Morning Post’s Young Post, focusing on sports and youth-related topics.
