David Li Kwok-wing, a 22-year-old man from Hong Kong, recently lost his appeal against a conviction for violating social distancing rules during a protest in August 2020. The incident occurred as people gathered to commemorate the death of Alex Chow, a student who passed away during pro-democracy protests the year before.
Li was charged with breaching Covid-19 regulations that limited the size of gatherings to two individuals at the time. Despite pleading not guilty, he was convicted in 2022 and received a 15-month probation order. Although Li completed the probation order last May, he is currently serving a three-month jail term for contempt of court due to harassing witnesses outside the court after a protest-related case.
During the appeal at the High Court’s Court of Appeal, Judge Frankie Yiu summarized the arguments made by Li’s legal representative. The representative claimed that a police officer’s testimony during the trial was contradictory and that the footage of the incident did not entirely match the facts of the case. However, Yiu rejected these arguments and supported the government’s prosecutors, who explained that the officer may have omitted details due to the passage of time since the incident.
Additionally, Li’s legal team stated that he and the three other individuals he was with were wearing masks, making it difficult for officers to identify who was speaking. In response, Yiu cited the prosecution’s assertion that the group was overheard discussing the police force and government affairs, indicating a common purpose.
Li’s involvement in protests dates back to the 2019 unrest in Hong Kong, which transitioned from large-scale demonstrations to smaller lunchtime protests, particularly in shopping malls, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Apart from the recent social distancing violation, Li was previously convicted of breaching regulations during a protest at the IFC mall in Central in April 2020, resulting in a 12-month probation order.
While Li has faced legal challenges related to the protests, it is essential to understand the context of the demonstrations that erupted in Hong Kong in 2019. The initial trigger was a controversial extradition bill that sparked widespread opposition to the Hong Kong and Beijing governments, as well as allegations of excessive force by the police. The protests evolved into a broader movement advocating for democracy and human rights.
As the situation in Hong Kong continues to evolve, it is crucial to monitor developments related to social distancing regulations, protest activities, and the overall political landscape to understand the ongoing challenges faced by individuals like David Li Kwok-wing.