Bail denied for suspected petrol bomber who targeted Hong Kong police with arson attacks
- Lucas Chong, 25, accused of two counts of arson, but three others arrested over attacks freed on bail
- Arson attack trial to resume at Eastern Court on Friday
The main suspect in two petrol bombings outside Hong Kong police stations was remanded into police custody on Monday after a judge denied bail because of the serious nature of the crime.
Lucas Chong Yam-miu, a 25-year-old man said to be unemployed, appeared in the Eastern Court to face two charges of arson stemming from his arrest on Friday in relation to the petrol bombings.
According to court documents, Chong was accused of damaging a police vehicle with fire at the junction of Arsenal Street and Lockhart Road on Friday. He is also suspected of damaging the wall of Happy Valley Police Station with fire the same day.
Chong was not required to enter a plea on Monday.
Four men with triad backgrounds arrested over petrol bomb attacks
The prosecution asked to adjourn the case, with Chong submitting to police custody, so an identity parade could be conducted. Prosecutors said seven witnesses would be involved in the identification process.
The case will be heard again on Friday.
Chong asked to be released on bail, but his request was rejected by Magistrate Lam Tsz-kan, who said the nature of the case was too serious for a bail arrangement. He pointed out that Chong had resisted arrest and tried to evade police officers.
Three other men, aged between 22 and 60, were also arrested on Friday in connection with the two petrol bomb attacks. They were all released on bail on Saturday and asked to report to the police in July.
