A Hong Kong man who tried to escape to Taiwan while facing offences linked to the 2019 protests has pleaded guilty to possessing materials that could be used to make petrol bombs.
Tang Kai-yin, 34, pleaded guilty to possessing “anything with intent to destroy or damage property” before District Judge Ernest Lin on Monday, local media reported. He was one of the 12 Hongkongers intercepted by the mainland Chinese coastguard in August 2020 while trying to flee to Taiwan on a speedboat.
Tang’s plea came after he was transferred to the city last August from mainland China, where he served three years in prison for organising an illegal border crossing.
According to local media, Tang admitted on Monday to possessing glass bottles, ethanol, gasoline, magnesium powder and other materials that could be used to make petrol bombs with four others inside a flat in Wan Chai in September 2019.
The maximum sentence for the charge is 10 years, although the maximum jail term handed out at District Court is capped at seven years.
2019 unrest
Protests erupted in June 2019 over a since-axed extradition bill. They escalated into sometimes violent displays of dissent against police behaviour, amid calls for democracy and anger over Beijing’s encroachment. Demonstrators demanded an independent probe into police conduct, amnesty for those arrested and a halt to the characterisation of protests as “riots.”
The flat was described as having a “production line,” local media reported, with the government forensic experts estimated that up to 16 petrol bombs could be made with the materials.
Police investigation revealed that Tang and his co-defendants were members of two Telegram groups, which had discussed plans to produce petrol bombs inside a “safe house.” The explosives were set to be used in a public procession on October 1, local media reported citing case details unveiled in court.
Tang originally faced one count of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. But he reached a plea deal with the prosecution and pled guilty to the alternative charge of possessing anything with intent to destroy or damage property.
The case was adjourned to February 26 for sentencing.
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