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Police arrest student leader over laser pointers in Hong Kong

news.rthk.hk

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Re: Police arrest student leader over laser pointers in Hong Kong

#2

Post by latch »

Thought I'd agree with this, but they were found in his bag. Doesn't sound like he used them and there's no mention of whether or not they're of an illegal class (assuming some are illegal in HK).

Another article (1) quotes the Chief Inspector as saying: "If anyone uses such an object to attack a person, it could also be deemed an offensive weapon" but no mention of such an attack in this specific case.

Can anyone supplement my (long-ago) grade 11 law class: is mens rea alone isn't enough to be convicted of a crime?

(1) https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/30...

Re: Police arrest student leader over laser pointers in Hong Kong

#6

Post by adamnemecek »

jasonhansel wrote: post #5
adamnemecek wrote: post #3

Part of me wants to start protest at Chinese embassies in the US. I wonder what the response would be.

Answer: China would try to use it as "proof" that foreigners are somehow stirring up the dissent in Hong Kong.

HK stands no chance tho.

Re: Police arrest student leader over laser pointers in Hong Kong

#8

Post by latch »

adamnemecek wrote: post #3

Part of me wants to start protest at Chinese embassies in the US. I wonder what the response would be.

Where I grew up, there were pretty frequent protests infront of the Chinese embassy. Year after year. I saw something similar at a Chinese consulate in the US once.

I spent two years in Hong Kong. There were frequent (weekly) protests at Chinese buildings (I remember one in particular that seemed to always have a crowd of people, in Sheung Wan, on Connaught Road I think?). It was always super peaceful, from both sides.

Re: Police arrest student leader over laser pointers in Hong Kong

#9

Post by ajdlinux »

latch wrote: post #2

Thought I'd agree with this, but they were found in his bag. Doesn't sound like he used them and there's no mention of whether or not they're of an illegal class (assuming some are illegal in HK). Another article (1) quotes the Chief Inspector as saying: "If anyone uses such an object to attack a person, it could also be deemed an offensive weapon" but no mention of such an attack in this specific case. Can anyone su…

Mens rea alone isn't enough to be convicted of a crime, but the actus reus in this case sounds like possession rather than use.

I don't know about HK laws on laser pointers but here in Australia there are restrictions on laser pointers - anything >1mW requires a permit in most states, without a permit you're liable for possession of a prohibited weapon whether or not you planned to use it. Even <1mW, you may be required to have a reasonable excuse for possessing it if you take it into a public space (at least in some states, I haven't checked all of them).

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