Activist Fined For Having Political Scarf In Court

An activist who wore a scarf sporting the words "reclaim Hong Kong" in Chinese when she attended a High Court trial has been fined HK$1,000 for contempt of court.

Alexandra Wong, 61, was found guilty earlier this month during the rioting trial of localist Edward Leung and four others.

Explaining the background to her ruling, Madam Justice Anthea Pang said she had banned Wong from entering the courtroom in January, after she shouted phrases from the public gallery such as "Hong Kong has become just like the mainland".

But the judge allowed her access to the lobby outside the courtroom where the trial was broadcast live.

Justice Pang said security guards told her on March 6 that Wong had brought with her two banners which said "refuse to turn Hong Kong red" and "release political prisoners". The judge then ordered that no one should display any political messages during the trial.

But the next day, Wong came to court wearing the offending scarf.

When she was brought before the judge, Wong claimed she didn't remember what the scarf looked like and she didn't understand the court order. But the judge rejected her explanation.

Wong's lawyer said during mitigation that the defendant travelled daily from her home in Shenzhen to attend the hearing, because she wanted to show support for the young activists on trial. He said Wong now realises the consequences of her actions, and promises never to disrupt the trial again.

The court gave Wong three months to pay her fine.

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Wong said she will appeal against the ruling, and plans to continue attending the trial.

The same trial was twice disrupted by two men, believed to be from the mainland, appearing to take photos of the jury. No arrest was made on either occasion and the judge sought to reassure the jurors that they had nothing to worry about.