Hong Kong Court Verdict on 2019 Bomb Plot

A Hong Kong court convicted Lai Chun-pong and acquitted six others in a thwarted bomb plot during the 2019 anti-government protests. This marks the first case under a United Nations anti-terrorism law. The remaining six individuals were cleared of all charges, including conspiring in the bomb plot.

A Hong Kong court on Thursday convicted one individual and acquitted six others over a thwarted bomb plot during the 2019 anti-government protests. This case is the first to be prosecuted under a United Nations anti-terrorism law, local media reported.

A nine-person jury found Lai Chun-pong guilty of conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause significant property damage. He was acquitted of plans to target specific objects with bombs under the anti-terror law. The other six — Cheung Chun-fu, Cheung Ming-yu, Yim Man-him, Christian Lee, Justin Hui, and Lau Pui-ying — were cleared of all charges, including conspiracy to commit murder and plotting the bomb attacks.

Although the seven are not prominent figures in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, their case gained attention since it invoked the UN's anti-terrorism measures. The accused pleaded not guilty to their roles in the 2019 plot, amid widespread accusations of police brutality. Prosecutors alleged the group intended to target police officers with bombs and sniper attacks during a rally.

(With inputs from agencies.)