Hong Kong national security law: teenager behind bomb plot pleads guilty to terrorism charge, as 5 others admit to conspiring to cause explosions
2023.05.06 13:35A Hong Kong teenager behind a thwarted bomb plot promoting an anti-government agenda has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge under the Beijing-decreed national security law, as five others admitted to a colonial-era offence of conspiracy to cause explosions.The six accused, aged 15 to 19 at the time of their prosecution in 2021, appeared before the High Court on Saturday over their attempt to target the city’s infrastructure using improvised explosive devices to “raise public awareness and revive the spirit of resistance among Hongkongers” following the 2019 anti-government protests.Hong Kong man denied bail over terrorism charge for alleged role in bomb plotsKenny Ho Yu-wang, now 19, whom prosecutors described as one of two masterminds behind the plot, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit terrorist activities before a judge approved by the city’s leader to hear the case.Kelly Kwok Man-hei, 20, Alexander Au, 21, Christy Su Wing-ching, 19, as well as Chan Cheuk-him an
A Hong Kong teenager behind a thwarted bomb plot promoting an anti-government agenda has pleaded guilty to a terrorism charge under the Beijing-decreed national security law, as five others admitted to a colonial-era offence of conspiracy to cause explosions.
The six accused, aged 15 to 19 at the time of their prosecution in 2021, appeared before the High Court on Saturday over their attempt to target the city’s infrastructure using improvised explosive devices to “raise public awareness and revive the spirit of resistance among Hongkongers” following the 2019 anti-government protests.
Hong Kong man denied bail over terrorism charge for alleged role in bomb plots
Kenny Ho Yu-wang, now 19, whom prosecutors described as one of two masterminds behind the plot, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit terrorist activities before a judge approved by the city’s leader to hear the case.
Kelly Kwok Man-hei, 20, Alexander Au, 21, Christy Su Wing-ching, 19, as well as Chan Cheuk-him and Law Kai-wing, both 17, admitted to an alternative count of conspiracy to cause explosions with intent to endanger life and property, in exchange for prosecutors dropping a terrorism charge against them.
Mr Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang said he was open to the idea of sentencing Su and the two 17-year-olds to a period of detention at a training centre in lieu of prison given their age and relatively minor roles in the offence.
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But the judge said he was inclined to throw the other three in jail in light of their active roles in the bomb plot.
He adjourned the case until May 25, when the court will hear mitigation from the defence. All six accused remain behind bars to await sentencing.
Under the national security law, anyone convicted of organising, planning, committing, taking part in or threatening to commit terrorist activities can receive a jail sentence of three to 10 years.
Those who commit an offence causing serious bodily injury, death or significant loss of public or private property face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or a fixed term of no less than 10 years in jail.
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