The Eastern Magistrates’ Courts heard and postponed a case involving localist Edward Leung and a reporter from the Beijing-backed Ta Kung Pao newspaper on Friday. Leung and the reporter, surnamed Lo, are charged with one count of fighting in a public place following an alleged incident at the Tai Koo station in August. No pleas have been entered.
According to Apple Daily, Lo’s lawyer said the reporter plans to plead not guilty.
Meanwhile, Leung’s lawyer said they made an application to adjourn the case for three weeks because they have not received documents from the prosecution, and that the nature of the case and Leung’s background are unusual.
Leung and Lo were arrested on Friday and Tuesday respectively, after a video showing the alleged scuffle surfaced online.
Under the Public Order Ordinance, the offence carries a maximum penalty of HK$5,000 fine and a 12-month jail term.
The case has been adjourned to January 13. The two are released on bail of HK$1,000 each, and were required to report to a police station.
