A man was arrested in Hong Kong after he charged at a magistrate in a courtroom with a knife. The incident took place at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts in the morning. The man, surnamed Lee and aged 32, was subdued by police officers after running out of the courtroom. During the arrest, the police officers were injured, with one officer suffering cuts to his hand.
Police found four knives on the man, as well as unknown liquids, powders, lighters, and matches. Tests later revealed that the liquids contained flammable contents. The knives ranged in length from 27 to 46 centimetres, with the longest knife being the one he held while charging towards the magistrate.
It was discovered that Lee had previously been charged with an indecent assault case in 2020, and the magistrate he attempted to attack had presided over that case. Although the criminal proceedings for the indecent assault case were complete, Lee was attempting to appeal the case at the High Court. Lee, who has a history of receiving psychiatric treatment, was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital after the arrest due to his emotional instability.
The Department of Justice condemned the attack, emphasizing that the Hong Kong government will not tolerate illegal or violent acts. The police will thoroughly investigate the case and bring the offender to account. While security checks are in place at the District Court and the High Court, visitors to the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts are not subject to inspections. Police will be discussing with judicial authorities on measures to enhance security at the courts.
Hillary Leung, a journalist at Hong Kong Free Press, has been covering local politics and social issues, including the recent incident at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts. She has reported on various topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic, political court cases, and challenges faced by minority communities. Hillary’s background in journalism and sociology, along with her experience working at TIME Magazine and Coconuts Hong Kong, provides her with a unique perspective on the current events in Hong Kong.
