A 24-year-old man with an intellectual disability has been denied bail after being charged with assaulting Hong Kong police officers. Fok Shun-yin, who is currently unemployed, is facing three counts of assaulting police officers on significant dates – on the 35th anniversary of the Tiananmen crackdown on June 4 and outside the High Court on September 24. Fok is currently being held at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre awaiting psychiatric reports.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution mentioned the psychiatric reports stating that the defendant is fit to testify and opposed his request for bail. On the other hand, the defense argued that Fok suffers from a mild intellectual disability. Despite this, Principal Magistrate Don So rejected the bail application, stating that the case will be heard again on December 4, with the defense having the right to review the bail application every eight days.
Fok is accused of assaulting police officer Choi Hon-lun outside the High Court on September 24. Reports suggest that Fok and his aunt regularly attended court hearings involving pro-democracy activists and politicians. Additionally, he is also charged with assaulting police officers Fan Hung-wai and Tse Ka-hang on June 4 at a location near Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.
Hong Kong has historically been one of the few places in China where annual vigils were held to commemorate the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown. However, in 2020, the police banned the gathering in Victoria Park citing Covid-19 restrictions, and this ban has been enforced since. On the 35th anniversary, there was a significant police presence, and four individuals were arrested.
Irene Chan, a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press, has a keen interest in covering political and social change. With a background in journalism from Fudan University and a master’s degree in social work from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Irene has received multiple awards for her investigative, feature, and video reporting. Additionally, she has been recognized with a Human Rights Press Award for her multimedia reporting and feature writing.
It is essential to consider the complexities surrounding the case of Fok Shun-yin and the broader context of the political landscape in Hong Kong. The denial of bail for Fok raises questions about the treatment of individuals with intellectual disabilities within the criminal justice system. Furthermore, the ongoing restrictions on public gatherings and the suppression of dissenting voices highlight the challenges faced by those advocating for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong.