Hong Kong protests: City University student one of the first charged under new mask ban
The 18-year-old and a woman, 38, were granted bail after appearing in court, charged with covering their faces at demonstration soon after ban introduced
Ng Lung-ping, seen in a mask on the left, and Choi Yuk-wan (second from right) on their way to Eastern Court where they were accused of wearing masks during a public assembly.City University student Ng Lung-ping, 18, and Choi Yuk-wan, 38, were granted bail at court on Monday after becoming the first people to be charged under the new mask ban.
Ng and Choi were accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly outside Kai Tin Shopping Centre in Lam Tin, which was held overnight between Friday and Saturday.
They allegedly used a facial covering that was likely to prevent identification without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in the early hours of Saturday, the day the anti-mask legislation came into force.
At Eastern Court, acting principal magistrate Cheung Kit-yee adjourned the case to November 18 at Kwun Tong Court, pending further police inquiry.
Court will hold urgent hearing about mask ban
Cheung granted Ng and Choi cash bail of HK$300 (US$38) and HK$1,000 respectively, but imposed a travel ban and curfew on the pair. She also ordered them to report to police once a week.
More than 100 supporters packed the court building, where they chanted “no crime for facial covering. no justification for legislation” as they waited for the defendants to leave.