Liang Guoxiong's document grabbing case was approved as the final appeal by the court

Social News

Written by: Li Huina

2021-03-09 12:47

The last update date: 2021-03-09 12:48

"Long-haired" Liang Guoxiong was accused of stealing documents on the desk of Ma Shaoxiang, then deputy director of the Development Bureau, from the Development Committee during his tenure as a member of the Legislative Council in 2016, and was charged with contempt.

The Magistrate's Court considered that the Ordinance was not suitable for accusing members. However, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Magistrate was wrong, but Chang Mao appealed to the Court of Final Appeal. The case was accepted today (9th) and the trial will be held on August 31.

Accused of violating the Legislative Council Powers and Privileges Ordinance

Liang Guoxiong was accused of disrupting the meeting of the Legislative Council Committee on November 15, 2016, causing it to be interrupted or likely to be interrupted.

According to section 17(C) of the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, any person causes or participates in any disturbance in the meetings of the Legislative Council or its committees, causing the interruption or interruption of the proceedings of the Legislative Council or the committee’s meetings. If it is likely to be interrupted, it is a crime.

Liang grabbing documents is a way of expression

The British Queen’s Counsel, who represented Liang Guoxiong, pointed out that because the Privilege Law also protects members’ freedom of speech in parliamentary procedures, and the relevant protection is an absolute guarantee, he believes that section 17(C) does not apply to members.

Peng Like continued that the protection of freedom of speech should include the speech and behavior of members, and that the act of robbing documents is also a way of expression.

Liang Guoxiong's wife Chen Baoying and Huang Haoming held banners outside the Court of Final Appeal before entering the court.

(Photo by Li Huina)

Member discipline should be regulated by the Legislative Council

Peng Like stated that based on the principle of "separation of powers," the court should not intervene.

Although he agrees that parliamentary procedures should be conducted in an efficient and orderly manner, the relevant situation should be left to the Legislative Council's exercise of power to regulate the discipline of members and should not be handled by the courts.

The representative of the Department of Justice retorted that the Privilege Law did not give members the privilege of creating or participating in riots. They also claimed that if the protection of freedom of speech is absolute, then the President of the Legislative Council should not have the power to regulate the discipline of members.

Liang gathers with his wife through the glass window of the prisoner's bar

Liang Guoxiong is currently being remanded in custody due to the "35+ primaries" case. He appeared tired when he attended the hearing today. However, before the hearing and during the break, he was able to chat with his wife Chen Baoying and the chairman of the social security company Huang Haoming through the glass windows of the prisoners. .

Wu Wenyuan also appeared in court this morning, but he was arrested by the police on suspicion of ordinary assault before the trial, and then taken to the Central Police Station.

Case number: FAMC 20/2020

Liang Guoxiong is accused of robbing documents and accused of impropriety

Leung Kwok-hsiung was convicted of improper crimes for stealing documents

Leung Kwok-hsiung's case for robbing documents said the law or restricting the speech of congressmen was improper

01News

Leung Kwok-hsiung contempt of the court of final appeal court