21-year-old charged with insulting national anthem during a volleyball match

The Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday adjourned a case where an unemployed man was charged with insulting the national anthem until mid-December to allow time for the defense to seek legal advice and retrieve other documents.

The 21-year-old defendant, surnamed Chan, was arrested on June 16 at the Hong Kong Coliseum for his actions at the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League match between China and Bulgaria for booing and thumbing down the Chinese national anthem that was played before the match.

He also refused to stand up while the anthem was being played, along with singing another song.

Chan appeared for his first hearing at the court today and has yet enter a plea.

Acting principal magistrate Veronica Heung Shuk-han adjourned the case until December 14, pending the defense’s request to seek legal advice and retrieve other documents, while Chan was released on a HK$5,000 cash bail.