Student Seeks Damages After Laser Pointer Acquittal

A 19-year-old student acquitted of possessing a laser pointer for an illegal purpose is filing a lawsuit against the secretary for justice to claim damages.

West Kowloon Court found Parco Pang not guilty of the charge in June, after ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that he had possessed a laser pointer at a protest in Mong Kok on November 11, 2019.

Speaking to reporters outside the District Court on Wednesday, Pang said he believes prosecutors withheld documents during the trial which were inconsistent with testimony given by two police officers. He said this amounted to unfairness.

“I’m filing this suit because certain evidence has arisen after the conclusion of my criminal prosecution, which suggests the possibility of certain documents which were withheld and not disclosed to the defence in the course thereof, which in my opinion, had led to the criminal case being, to a certain extent, unfair, which is why I’m bringing this suit to clear my name,” he said.

Pang said he is seeking HK$520,000 in damages.

The teenager, who defended himself in the trial, said he will represent himself again this time.

“At this juncture, I think I’m the most suitable [person] to conduct the case as I’m most familiar with the facts and the relevant circumstances.”

In response to RTHK's inquiries, the Department of Justice says it does not comment on individual cases.

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