Unpopular Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (梁振英) yesterday gave evidence in an assault case against a legislator who threw a glass at him in the legislature, the first time a sitting chief executive has testified in court.
A calm Leung occasionally broke into smiles as he was cross-examined by pro-democracy and anti-China Hong Kong Legislator Raymond Wong (黃毓民), who is accused of common assault and was representing himself in a courtroom packed with supporters from both sides.
Wong has pleaded not guilty to the charge and questioned the validity of allowing Leung’s testimony, calling him “a liar and untrustworthy,” but the court ruled that Leung could be admitted as a witness.
Photo: AFP
It comes as he battles widening political divisions in the semi-autonomous territory, with some young campaigners pushing for self-determination or outright independence from China as fears grow that Beijing is tightening its grip.
Rival groups clashed inside Eastern Magistrates’ Court before the hearing, with anti-Leung groups shouting: “Down with the Chinese Communist Party,” eliciting the response: “May the CCP live for 10,000 years.”
A scuffle broke out when one pro-Leung demonstrator shoved a supporter from the Wong camp, with the Leung group calling their rivals “yellow dogs.”
In court, Leung described the incident in July 2014, saying paper had been thrown at him while he was at the podium in the legislature.
“Then I heard glass breaking behind me,” Leung said.
“It sounded close and forceful,” added Leung, who said he was “startled.”
Wong is accused of throwing a glass of water at Leung during the question-and-answer session. It did not hit him, smashing on the floor nearby.
The incident took place as tensions were rising in the wake of a white paper from Beijing in which it asserted its authority over Hong Kong.
Frustrations later boiled over into massive pro-democracy rallies in September 2014 after Beijing insisted on vetting candidates for the territory’s future leader ahead of a public vote.
In an hour of detailed cross-examination, Wong questioned Leung over his security detail and the instructions they had been given on the day, as well as whether he knew the identities of those protesting.
Leung said he was unsure which legislators were protesting during the session.
It was the latest public drama for Leung, who is also embroiled in a row over an alleged breach of aviation rules involving his daughter’s baggage.
That led to more than a thousand people protesting at Hong Kong airport on Sunday. They were angered by an apparent special arrangement that helped his 23-year-old daughter after she accidentally left her hand baggage at the check-in counter last month. Airport staff brought it to her in a restricted zone.
Local media reported that the chief executive made a telephone call to relevant officers before the bag was delivered to his daughter.
Leung has admitted making a telephone call, but has denied pressuring staff.
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