Activist jailed for 46 months over Mong Kok riot

The court said while Amy Pat did not hurl bricks at police officers, she very well knew that the bricks she dug up would be used by others to attack officers. File photo: RTHK

The District Court has sentenced a 24-year-old activist to 46 months in prison for taking part in the 2016 Mong Kok riot.



Amy Pat was earlier found guilty of two counts of rioting – for digging up bricks from the pavements and setting cardboard boxes on fire.



In sentencing, district court judge Ernest Lin said even though the Pat did not directly throw bricks at the police, she very well knew that the bricks she dug up would be used by other protesters to attack officers.



He added that he found “laughable and unreasonable” Pat’s argument that she had set cardboard boxes on fire just to alleviate the workload of street cleaners.



Judge Lin said it was obvious that the defendant’s intention was obstruct the police in carrying out their duties.



He ruled she was subject to similar penalties as other rioters as her action was no different from theirs. Lin added that while everyone has a right to fight for freedom and democracy, their action must not undermine other peoples’ safety and rights to live a peaceful life.



Pat appeared emotional after receiving the lengthy prison term, and said she plans to appeal the court’s decision.



Pat had played a key role at the Mong Kok site during the 2014 Occupy movement and earned the nickname "female village head" of the protest site.



A police spokesman welcomed the ruling and said this sends a clear message to the society that use of violence can not be accepted.