Student protester released on bail vows not to break the law again "for a lifetime"
A 19-year-old student protester, who pleaded guilty to breaching the group gathering cap, told the judge, "I will never break the law again in my lifetime," as he was granted bail on Wednesday.
Li Kwok-wing, dubbed "lunch brother" due to his frequent appearances at lunchtime rallies, earlier pleaded guilty to participating in a prohibited group gathering and violating the prevention and control of disease ordinance at Central's IFC mall on April 28, 2020.
Li was scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday last week at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts, but the case was adjourned to December 16, pending probation, training center, and detention center reports.
He applied for bail on Wednesday and saw his application approved by High Court judge Johnny Chan Jong-herng.
As Chan confirmed the conditions for bail, Li thanked him and told him, "I will never break the law again in my lifetime." Li added he had reflected on this case as well.
Li was released on bail of HK$2,000, and his mother signed a HK$50,000 surety. The conditions include that Li must not leave Hong Kong and report to Tsing Yi police station every Monday evening.
He must also attend all meetings with the psychiatrist and social worker and take his medication on time. He must also not breach the group gathering cap again.
Earlier at Eastern Magistrates' Courts, magistrate Andrew Mok Tze-chung slammed Li for being "too political."
"As a student, the defendant [Li] did not work hard at school but focused on politics and participated in gatherings regardless of the gathering cap," Mok said, referring to the "Sing with you" event in the mall, which was joined by Li and others.