A social worker who tried to mediate during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong condemns the riots

Hong Kong (AP)-A social worker who tried to mediate during the height of the 2019 anti-government protests in Hong Kong was convicted of riots on Tuesday in the last case indicating the harsh position taken by the authorities towards political issues.

Jackie Chen was part of a group of social workers who often carrying loudspeakers seeking to mediate between the police and demonstrators during social disturbances. She was released in her first trial in September 2020, but the Minister of Justice appealed and the court ordered the re -trial from another judge.

In the re -trial, the prosecutor Chen, who used a loudspeaker to ask the police officers to calm down and not to use their weapons to shoot non -deadly bullets, accused the participation in riots during a protest in August 2019. Chen acknowledged that he was not guilty.

Judge My Chong wrote in her ruling that Chen had constantly shouted on unfounded charges against the police and suggested that the officers ’actions involve the use of excessive force or were very fast. The judge said that Chen had used the role of her social worker, claiming that she was “protecting justice” to support the demonstrators.

Chung has spent the only reasonable reasoning that Chen intends to participate in riots.

She wrote: “Through the aforementioned means of gathering with other rioters, she (she) encouraged other riots to commit acts that disturb social peace.”

Before the ruling session, Chen took group photos with her supporters and embraced some of them outside the local court building. Chen told correspondents that she felt peaceful because she had five years in front of her to prepare for this. She was regardless of the result, she does not regret.

“I hope all the people I know – will live in good health, and they will live happy because we still have our way to walk.”

After the judge announced the decision, she shouted that she would be fine for her supporters sitting at the general exhibition.

Chen is expected to be judged in April. The maximum judgment on the riots in Hong Kong is 10 years, but the rulings in the local court were crowned in seven years.

The Chen’s case drew attention due to its moderate role in the 2019 movement, which was the biggest challenge of the Hong Kong government since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

The 2019 protests were indicated by the proposed delivery law that would have allowed to send criminal suspects in Hong Kong to the main righteousness of the trial. The government withdrew the bill, but the demonstrators expanded their demands to include the direct elections for the city leaders and the accountability of the police.

In response, Beijing imposed the National Security Law to suppress the disturbances. Under the law, many major activists have been convicted in the city. The Hong Kong government insists on restoring the law to stabilize the city.