A 22-year-old man accused of biting off a police officer’s finger during a protest in Sha Tin on Sunday was charged with two counts of wounding with intent, one count of assaulting a police officer, and one count of failing to produce identification by the Sha Tin Magistrates’ Court this afternoon.
Suspect To Kai-wa will be represented by barrister Randy Shek, who has represented pro-democracy activists like Joshua Wong and Avery Ng in the past, Ming Pao reports.
The outlet reported that all 80 seats in the public gallery were full and that the court had to issue tickets and allow people to sit in the gallery on a first-come-first-serve basis.
To was not required to enter a plea, the court have adjourned the case until September 10 — pending a doctor’s report and forensic test results — and the court needed CCTV footage from the mall.
Ming Pao reports that To was released on bail of HK$10,000 (US$1,280); he is not allowed to go out between 12pm to 6am; he needs to report to the police station every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; and he’s not allowed to be near New Town Plaza where Sunday’s clashes took place.
The court also heard that To had just graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science, and that he is currently working for a securities firm and has not yet passed the probationary period, on.cc reports.
To was one of dozens of people arrested on Sunday evening during clashes between police and protesters at the New Town Plaza shopping mall in Sha Tin.
What began as a peaceful protest against a controversial extradition bill — as well as demands for universal suffrage and broader fears over eroding freedoms — culminated in violence, with riot police and protesters clashing in the middle of the mall, which is popular with mainland tourists.
RTHK reported today that a total of 47 people have been arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly and assaulting police officers during Sunday’s protest.
A total of 28 people were taken to hospital for injuries, now only six people remain in hospital, and one person is in a serious condition.
Police said at least 13 officers were hurt, including the one who had part of his finger bitten off.
The chief superintendent of the Police Public Relations Branch, John Tse, said that the three police officers still in hospital were being treated for complicated problems, and that the officer who was bitten had undergone surgery to reattach the missing part of the digit.
This article has been updated to include details about the defendant’s background and bail conditions as read out in court.
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