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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

#11

Post by bogwog »

ajdlinux wrote: post #9
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 requi…

> I don't know about HK laws on laser pointers

I think at this point you should be looking into China's laws on laser pointers, not Hong Kong's.

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

#13

Post by yskchu »

With the current situation in HK, and his position, there may be valid concern it may not be used legally

It’s not that hard to prove intent if he is really innocent

If he’s really star gazing, why does he need 10 lasers? Show some evidence of your plan (where you are planning to go to star gaze, who you are going with (10 lasers are a bit too many for 1 person’s needs). Have you always been interested in Astronomy? It is rare (not impossible) for someone to suddenly find an interest in star gazing overnight.

Of course, it may be hard for police to actually prosecute him based on just intent - HK laws are still quite good. However, if he's been seen on the protest frontlines, plus ownership of lasers, it might make more of a case.

HK is not a place known for star gazers really - the light pollution is horrendous

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

#14

Post by thaumasiotes »

hurrdurr2 wrote: post #7
adamnemecek wrote: post #3

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

Falun Gong protests are a regular occurrence outside of Chinese embassies. They are mostly ignored.

There's a permanent (one-person) Falun Gong protest outside the consulate in San Francisco. At least, it was still there the last time I went.

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

#15

Post by NeedMoreTea »

adamnemecek wrote: post #3

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

There's been protests at the London Chinese embassy fairly frequently since 1997. More visible and frequently reported during the 2014 umbrella protests, and again during these protests.

I'd be a little surprised if there haven't been similar at embassies in the US - perhaps they're just not attracting enough numbers to be widely reported?

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

#17

Post by analognoise »

adamnemecek wrote: post #6
jasonhansel wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

No but it's really instructive to Taiwan, which is seriously up-armoring now.

HK is doomed for sure, but Taiwan isn't.

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

#19

Post by ab_c »

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…

There's actual video footage of HK police officers arresting a kid because he had a flashlight in his backpack. They deemed it as a "weapon". Right now, HKPD is going on a rampage and making up excuses to arrest anyone who is brazen enough to talk back at them. It's juvenile. Good luck to the police officers who think that they'll magically go back to their normal lives after this. After grossly mistreating so many ppl in the community they swore to protect, they should expect spit in their food.
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