The Hong Kong Department of Justice has mandated that two convicted protesters pay compensation exceeding HK$1.7 million each to cover medical costs for police officers injured during a 2019 demonstration. This decision, reported exclusively by Hong Kong Free Press, falls under section 25 of the Employees’ Compensation Ordinance, which allows employers to seek damages from third parties responsible for injury-related expenses. The compensation includes costs for the officers’ sick leave, assessed impairments, and other legal charges.
In 2020, the protesters, Leung Pak Tim and an unnamed individual, were convicted of rioting and causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Leung pleaded guilty, admitting to physically assaulting an officer with an umbrella, and received a four-year prison sentence. The court emphasized the need for general deterrence in sentencing, setting aside Leung’s personal circumstances and background.
This requirement for compensation is one of several ongoing legal repercussions from the widespread 2019 anti-extradition bill protests. As of late 2022, many of the 10,000+ arrested protesters were still awaiting trial. Previous statements from officials such as Chief Executive John Lee have highlighted the complexities and potential legal challenges of prosecuting the remaining cases efficiently.
For the full report, please visit the original article on JURIST.