Ex-pro-democracy lawmaker Au Nok-hin was convicted of assault on Monday for using a loudhailer near a police officer and hitting another cop’s shield with a microphone. The incident occurred at a protest in Yau Ma Tei last July 8.
According to Stand News, Superintendent Ko Chun-pong said in his testimony that Au shouted profanity and repeatedly yelled at him with through the microphone during the clash. The Police Public Relations Branch officer said he had requested that Au stop placing the loudspeaker close to him but was unsuccessful.
Ko said he felt discomfort in his right ear, and his hearing and sleep had been affected. The medical report provided by Ko said he suffered from acute hearing loss.
Another officer Kwan Chi-ho, who was on duty at the police cordon during the anti-extradition law protest, testified earlier and said Au had hit his shield three times. The constable added Au called him “YiJin jai” – an insult that implies officers had low education level.
“I was a bit scared, because he was a lawmaker, [I] didn’t expect him to make a violent act against the police cordon,” Kwan said, adding that he was unsure if Au would escalate his actions and attack the police.
Au told the press that, regardless of what sentence he receives, the only thing that mattered was his innocence. He added he could not say for sure whether he would file an appeal at this stage, but he would concentrate on handling Community Service Orders report.
“[I] hope that, with finishing the whole legal procedure, the judge will consider all of the circumstances much more precisely so that a much more fair result will come,” he said.
On Facebook, pro-democracy legislator Raymond Chan slammed the conviction as “ridiculous,” while democrat Eddie Chu questioned whether
people are still allowed to speak during protests “if sound could attack the police.”
Meanwhile, pro-Beijing lawmaker Elizabeth Quat welcomed the conviction and said it made her “very happy,” while lawmaker Kwok Wai-keung said: “No one has any privilege in front of Hong Kong law.”
Au’s sentence will be delivered on April 24. He is on bail in the meantime while the judge seeks a Community Service Orders report.
