Anti-terrorism laws cited for first time in bomb-making case

Hong Kong's anti-terrorism laws have been invoked for the first time as 10 members of a radical group face charges of conspiring to create two bombs with the intent to ambush and kill police officers during the 2019 social unrest.

Four of the defendants pleaded guilty yesterday, while the remaining six pleaded not guilty before High Court Judge Judianna Barnes Wai-ling.

Among those who pleaded guilty were 22-year-old unemployed Wong Chun-keung and 24-year-old technician Ng Chi-hung. They admitted to conspiring to commit the bombing of prescribed objects, as defined by the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance, using two explosive devices.

The prosecutor told the court that "these devices had the potential to cause fatalities within a radius of 100 meters and 400 meters."

Ng also pleaded guilty to possessing arms or ammunition with the intent to endanger life. When officers searched his residence in Fortress Hill, they discovered a handgun, four magazines and 106 bullets.

The charges of conspiracy to murder and possession of explosives against Wong and Ng were set aside and will remain on the court file.

Additionally, 22-year-old student Cheung Chun-fu pleaded guilty to possessing explosives, specifically two boxes of firecrackers, as well as possessing arms without a license, namely four canisters of pepper spray.

Designer Chung Suet-ying, 29, pleaded guilty to possessing arms and ammunition without a license. She was found to be in possession of a rifle, six magazines containing 211 bullets and two magazines containing 30 bullets.

Chung's then-boyfriend, David Su, who is also a defendant in the case, was involved in this offense.

According to the prosecution, the radical opposition group known as the "Dragon Slaying Brigade" had planned to use firearms and explosives to kill police officers and seize their service revolvers during a march organized by the disbanded Civil Human Rights Front on December 8, Human Rights Day, in 2019.

Following the raid of a flat in a Tsuen Wan industrial building, where two boxes of firecrackers, an extendable baton, and pepper spray were found, Cheung, Wong and Ng were arrested.

"Surveillance cameras captured them holding the firecrackers as they entered the building, corroborating their activities as discussed through Telegram," the court heard.

On the same day, Su, designated as the gunner in their plot, fled to a flat in Tai Po with Chung, armed with his handgun and ammunition, after one of their accomplices was arrested during the Human Rights Day march on Hong Kong Island. Approximately two weeks later, police officers encountered Su and Chung leaving the flat and attempted to apprehend them. Su attempted to escape and fired a shot at a police sergeant, but missed. He was then subdued and Chung was also arrested at the scene.

The trial continues today.