District Court jails 21 people over 2019 riot

The District Court on Saturday jailed 21 people who were found guilty of taking part in a riot in Sheung Wan two years ago.

They were given prison sentences of between 30 and 42 months for rioting in the area between Western Street and Queen Street on July 28, 2019.

Two of them were also found guilty of assaulting a police officer and possessing a radio apparatus without a valid license.

In sentencing the defendants, Judge Johnny Chan said people cannot resort to violence even when peaceful means could not fulfill their goals.

The judge pointed out that there were a large number of protesters and that the case was serious.

He also noted that protesters were prepared with bricks, iron rods and laser pointers and that the riot had posed a serious danger to society.