'Never back down': Masked university students rally at graduation ceremony in Hong Kong.
A Hong Kong court ruling that a laser pointer carried by a teenager was an offensive weapon marks a tougher stance by the judiciary after months of anti-government protests in the semi-autonomous Chinese territoryUniversity students wearing Guy Fawkes masks, hold banner as they march to their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The banner reads " Five demands, not one less.
It said the court ruled the youth had intended to use the laser pointer to cause harm to police by shining it in their eyes. He is to remain in custody until sentencing on Nov. 25. "I do not think this is a fair conviction and it may lead to police abuse in prosecution of possession of laser pointers without good evidence of the intention of hurting people," he told The Associated Press."This case can also create a precedent of more people being prosecuted for carrying ordinary objects like laser pointers and umbrellas."
More than 3,300 people have been detained amid mounting violence, and Beijing has indicated it will tighten its grip on the territory to quell the unrest. Earlier Thursday, hundreds of masked students disrupted graduation ceremonies at two Hong Kong universities, shouting slogans, turning their backs and booing when the Chinese national anthem was played.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pro-Beijing lawmaker in Hong Kong stabbed while campaigningA video circulating on social media showed a man giving flowers to Junius Ho and asking permission for a photo with him. The man then drew a knife from his bag and stabbed Ho in the chest but was quickly overpowered by the victim and several others.
Read more »
In Divided Hong Kong, Apps Help to Avoid Eating With the EnemyIn a city split by months of protests, consumers now have a way to identify which businesses appear to share their views, putting shops on alert and offering Hongkongers a way to show their colors.
Read more »
Masked Hong Kong students chant protest slogans at graduationHong Kong students, many wearing banned black masks, chanted slogans at their gr...
Read more »
Masked university students rally at graduation ceremony in Hong KongAbout 1,000 students, many wearing black masks, attended a graduation ceremony a...
Read more »
Pro-Beijing lawmaker in Hong Kong stabbed while campaigningJunius Ho, who said his wound was minor, has become a hated figure by the protesters over his alleged links to violence against them.
Read more »
Hong Kong student dies after fall during protest clashA Hong Kong university student who fell off a parking garage after police fired tear gas during clashes with anti-government protesters died, in a rare fatality after five months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Read more »