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The top of Hong Kong’s largest journalist union was sentenced on Monday to 5 days in jail for obstructing a police officer by refusing to current his identification card throughout a stop-and-search process.
Hong Kong Journalists Affiliation chairman Ronson Chan Ron-sing, 42, was discovered responsible of 1 depend of obstructing a police officer and a cost of obstructing a public officer. He was launched on bail, pending an enchantment.
The defendant, who can be a deputy task editor for on-line information portal Channel C, was required to pay HK$30,000 (US$3,835) in bail, hand over all journey paperwork to police and report back to officers twice every week.
Justice of the Peace Leung Ka-kie rejected the defence counsel’s suggestion of imposing a tremendous or neighborhood service order, as an alternative beginning sentencing at seven days in jail earlier than knocking two days off to mirror Chan’s contributions to the occupation of journalism.
“A brief-term custodial sentence is the one acceptable choice,” she stated.
Hong Kong’s largest journalist group faces monetary ache, drop in members: chairman
Hong Kong’s largest journalist group faces monetary ache, drop in members: chairman
The West Kowloon Court docket earlier heard that Chan and his photographer had been stopped on September 7 final yr as they made their technique to MacPherson Stadium to attend a gathering of property homeowners at Yuen Lengthy’s Lengthy Ping Property.
The homeowners’ company on the property had been marred by controversies, with residents criticising its administration and gaps in its accounting data.
Constable Leung Man-yee throughout the trial stated Chan was uncooperative and acted “hysterically” when she requested him 4 instances to provide his identification card, including that the affiliation chairman had questioned her standing as an officer and the rationale behind the examine many instances.
Justice of the Peace Leung on Monday stated Chan’s actions and angle had been “impudent”, pointing to the defendant’s reluctance to share his identification card as he waved its holder within the plain-clothes officer’s face.
Hong Kong officer denies exaggerating proof in trial of journalist union head
Hong Kong officer denies exaggerating proof in trial of journalist union head
Chan instructed the courtroom that he was solely assured of the constable’s identification after she cited the title of her workplace and a uniformed officer approached the pair.
However the Justice of the Peace argued it was “unreasonable” to imagine {that a} veteran journalist resembling Chan, with a data of the power’s inside workings, may doubt the constable’s identification after she confirmed her warrant card.
She additionally dismissed the defence’s argument that Chan was involved his private particulars could possibly be uncovered on-line if handed to police, saying the circumstances had been totally different from a previous incident in 2019, when he was searched throughout a live-streaming report amid the anti-government protests.
Head of journalist group might go away Hong Kong whereas awaiting trial, Justice of the Peace guidelines
Head of journalist group might go away Hong Kong whereas awaiting trial, Justice of the Peace guidelines
The Justice of the Peace stated she additionally thought of the testimonies from 4 cops to be dependable, citing their clear supply as they gave their statements.
Chan instructed native media after the decision that he can be unable to attend an abroad convention subsequent month as a result of situations of his bail, however stated his function as affiliation chairman wouldn’t be considerably affected.
“The rule of regulation is performed in open courtroom [on Monday] and everybody can see what the Justice of the Peace’s opinion is in regards to the case,” he stated.
The cost of obstructing a public officer is punishable by as much as two years in jail, whereas these convicted of obstructing a police officer within the execution of their obligation can withstand six months in jail and a most tremendous of HK$2,000.
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