Verdict In Ted Hui Case Set For May 27

Eastern Court said on Wednesday that it will hand down a verdict in the case against Democratic Party lawmaker Ted Hui on May 27.

The opposition lawmaker was in the dock after he apparently snatched a phone from a female Security Bureau officer in Legco last year, and ran into a men’s toilet with it.

The 36-year-old pleaded not guilty to three charges -- common assault, obstructing a public officer in the performance of a public duty, and obtaining access to a computer with a view to dishonest gain.

As the prosecution and defence wrapped up their cases, prosecutors said Hui wasn’t trustworthy when he said he didn’t plan to forcibly grab the phone.

The lawyer said the snatching would have involved violence and there must have been body contact – especially when the government officer told the court that she was scared.

But the defence said Hui was simply carrying out his duty as a legislator and when he felt his whereabouts at his workplace were being recorded, he saw the need to stop possible privacy infringement.

The defence also said that the case against Hui amounted to "white terror".