Hong Kong social worker convicted of rioting in 2019 protest after retrial
Jackie Chen, 48, found guilty after government appealed against her acquittal in 2020
A Hong Kong court has convicted a social worker of rioting in a retrial over her involvement in an anti-government protest in 2019.
Jackie Chen Hung-sau, 48, was found guilty in the District Court in Wan Chai on Tuesday. Deputy District Judge May Chung Ming-sun remanded the defendant in custody.
In her verdict, Chung said the issue was whether the prosecution could prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant’s conduct constituted participating in the riot as alleged in the charge and that she had the intention to take part in it.
Chung said the defendant was at the scene to support protesters in her capacity as a social worker, and consciously spoke for those taking part in the gathering by shouting false accusations, which delayed police action.
The defendant showed her approval of protesters’ actions through her words and actions, offering them support, and increased their determination and confidence to confront police, Chung added.
“The only reasonable inference is that the defendant intended to participate in the riot in this case and gathered with other rioters in the above manner, thereby encouraging other rioters to commit acts that disrupted social order,” the judge said.