A Hong Kong lawmaker has voiced concern the conviction of a teenager for carrying a laser pointer could pave the way for more prosecutions against anti-government protesters in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Local broadcaster RTHK says a court Thursday found a 16-year-old male student guilty of possessing the laser pointer and a modified umbrella — deemed to be offensive weapons. He was detained Sept. 21 near the site of a planned protest for democracy reforms.
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A Hong Kong lawmaker has voiced concern the conviction of a teenager for carrying a laser pointer could pave the way for more prosecutions against anti-government protesters in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Legislator James To says he's worried it will "create a precedent of more people being prosecuted for carrying ordinary objects like laser pointers and umbrellas."
A protester stands outside a holding room for graduates during an anti-government rally that briefly disrupts a graduation ceremony at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
Protesters display posters during an anti-government rally at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
Protesters occupy the stage to briefly delay a graduation ceremony during an anti-government rally at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
Protesters occupy the stage to briefly delay a graduation ceremony during an anti-government rally at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
University students wearing masks, hold placards in protest against the government before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks protest against the government before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students pay a silent tribute to the victims in the anti-government protest movement before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing masks, hold banner and placards at a protest during their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The placards with Chinese read "We are not scare of their guns, but they are afraid of our camera," while the banner reads "Not fear of guns, defend the truth." (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing masks, hold placards reading "We are not scared of their guns, but they are afraid of our camera" during a protest during their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students walk on posters of Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks during a protest before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks throw their hats after their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks throw their hats after their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks during an protest before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
In this Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, left, meets with Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng as they attend a meeting of the leading group for developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, in Beijing. Lam, on a visit to the mainland, met with President Xi Jinping in Shanghai on Monday in what was seen as an endorsement of her government's handling of the protests in Hong Kong. Vice Premier Han Zheng reiterated the support Wednesday after talks with Lam in Beijing. (Zhang LingXinhua via AP)
The court reportedly ruled the youth had intended to use the laser pointer to cause harm to police by shining it in their eyes. He will be sentenced later.
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks, hold banner as they march to their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The banner reads " Five demands, not one less." (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
Legislator James To says he's worried it will "create a precedent of more people being prosecuted for carrying ordinary objects like laser pointers and umbrellas."
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks, hold banners as they protest against the government before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
A protester stands outside a holding room for graduates during an anti-government rally that briefly disrupts a graduation ceremony at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
Protesters display posters during an anti-government rally at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
Protesters occupy the stage to briefly delay a graduation ceremony during an anti-government rally at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
Protesters occupy the stage to briefly delay a graduation ceremony during an anti-government rally at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoDita Alangkara)
University students wearing masks, hold placards in protest against the government before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks protest against the government before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students pay a silent tribute to the victims in the anti-government protest movement before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing masks, hold banner and placards at a protest during their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. The placards with Chinese read "We are not scare of their guns, but they are afraid of our camera," while the banner reads "Not fear of guns, defend the truth." (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing masks, hold placards reading "We are not scared of their guns, but they are afraid of our camera" during a protest during their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students walk on posters of Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks during a protest before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks throw their hats after their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, in Hong Kong. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks throw their hats after their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
University students wearing Guy Fawkes masks during an protest before their graduation ceremony at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, in Hong Kong, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP PhotoKin Cheung)
In this Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, left, meets with Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng as they attend a meeting of the leading group for developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, in Beijing. Lam, on a visit to the mainland, met with President Xi Jinping in Shanghai on Monday in what was seen as an endorsement of her government's handling of the protests in Hong Kong. Vice Premier Han Zheng reiterated the support Wednesday after talks with Lam in Beijing. (Zhang LingXinhua via AP)
