Edward Leung Won't End Democracy Fight, Court Told

The High Court heard on Monday that Edward Leung, who was found guilty last week of rioting in Mong Kong in early 2016, took part in activism because he wanted to push forward Hong Kong’s democratisation.

During a mitigation hearing, Senior Counsel Edwin Choi pleaded for leniency for Leung, 26, saying his client was trying to fulfil his responsibility as a young and educated citizen.

Choi added that people from his own generation had done little to safeguard the SAR’s democratic development, and that is why young people like Leung had taken to the streets.

The lawyer said the activist had put the future of Hong Kong before his own and although he will inevitably go to jail, Leung has already decided to continue to fight for democracy when he comes out, and without resorting to violence.

Choi also urged the court not to take into account the fact that Leung had been at the protest site hours before he committed the rioting offence, because his presence did not mean he had prepared or made plans to use violence.

The judge adjourned the sentencing for Leung, together with two others in the rioting case, to June 11.