7 Hongkongers acquitted of terrorism charges over 2019-20 bomb plots

Seven Hongkongers have been cleared of a terrorism offence for their roles in three bomb plots designed to push an anti-government agenda five years ago.

A High Court jury of seven women and two men returned a verdict on Thursday afternoon to conclude a 160-day trial implicating eight defendants, after closed-door deliberations began on Monday morning.

Fishing gear seller Lukas Ho Cheuk-wai, 41, decoration worker Lee Ka-pan, 30, security guard Ng Tsz-lok, 32, programmer Cheung Ka-chun, 35, clerk Yeung Yi-sze, 33, government contract worker Cheung Cheuk-ki, 29, and university student Rebecca Ho Pui-yan, 26, were acquitted of a joint count of conspiracy to commit bombing of prescribed objects between November 2019 and March 2020.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Ordinance, which was enacted in 2002 pursuant to a UN security council resolution to combat international terrorism after the terrorist attacks on the United States the year before.

But the jury found three of them guilty of an alternative count of conspiracy to cause an explosion of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.

Lukas Ho, Lee and Cheung Ka-chun are facing up to 20 years behind bars under colonial-era legislation.