The trial of eight individuals accused of being involved in three bomb plots in early 2020 has commenced in Hong Kong. The defendants, namely Ho Cheuk-wai, Lee Ka-pan, Ng Tsz-lok, Cheung Ka-chun, Yeung Yi-sze, Cheung Cheuk-ki, Ho Pui-yan, and Chow Ho-man, appeared before a jury at the High Court after allegedly planting bombs at a public hospital and near the Lo Wu border crossing point.
The prosecution, led by Barrister Priscilia Lam, claimed that the group was planning to place another bomb in a car park where a young man fell and later died amid a police-protesters clash in November 2019. However, their plan was thwarted as the police arrested them on March 7, 2020, a day before the alleged action.
The defendants are facing a charge of conspiracy to commit bombing of prescribed objects under the city’s United Nations anti-terrorism law, which could result in a life sentence. Despite the severity of the charges, all defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution alleged that the group was involved in placing homemade bombs in a men’s toilet cubicle at Caritas Medical Centre and on a train heading to Lo Wu, although no injuries were reported from the detonations. They also planned to place a bomb near a car park in Tseung Kwan O, where a university student named Alex Chow tragically died from head injuries.
Two of the defendants, Ho Cheuk-wai and Lee Ka-pan, were accused of renting units where the group tested explosives and stored bomb-making materials. CCTV footage presented in court showed Lee purchasing items used in preparing homemade bombs. The prosecution claimed that the group detonated the bombs using a Telegram messaging app bot and had discussions about targeting border crossing points.
Additional charges include conspiracy to cause explosions with intent to endanger life or property, perverting the course of justice, and attempting to make an explosive. Expert witnesses are expected to testify about how the bombs were made and their explosive power.
The trial, which began on Friday, is anticipated to last for 100 working days. The defendants have been in custody since their initial court appearance in March 2020. The proceedings will continue on Monday as the legal process unfolds.
