Hong Kong protests: 3 arsonists jailed for up to 4½ years after fire at MTR station during 2019 social unrest
- Arsonist trio involved in Kowloon Tong MTR station blaze sentenced to jail and ordered to pay damages to transport operator
- District judge says tough sentences required to protect lives, prevent future attacks
The District Court on Tuesday heard the trio started a fire near turnstiles at Exit G1 of the railway station soon after 2pm on October 12, 2019, when black-clad demonstrators took to the streets to protest against an anti-mask law.
The trio’s arson attack scorched a three-by-one-metre area, causing black smoke to spread across the ceiling of the station. MTR staff reacted quickly to the incident and managed to put out the blaze with a fire extinguisher in under a minute.
The turnstiles were subsequently closed for repairs, costing HK$84,156 (US$10,789).
District Judge Clement Lee Hing-nin said the three defendants had planned the attack at one of the busiest MTR stations and the court needed to impose a deterrent sentence to protect lives and prevent a repeat of the incident.
