A 21-year-old man who has been sentenced to eight weeks in jail for insulting the national anthem during a volleyball match, has decided to drop his appeal on Thursday.
Defense barrister Steven Kwan Man-wai said the defendant Chan Pak-yui had abandoned his appeal against both the conviction and the sentence during a hearing at the High Court.
Chan, diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age six, confirmed to Judge Judianna Wai Ling Barnes that he understood and accepted the need to serve his sentence immediately.
He was charged with publicly and intentionally insulting the national anthem on June 16, 2023, during the FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship held at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.
It was reported that Chan booed, covered his ears, gave a thumbs down, and sang "Do You Hear the People Sing" - actions that were filmed by a police chief inspector nearby during the match.
After a trial, he was found guilty and sentenced to eight weeks in prison in August, with bail granted for his appeal.
