Hong Kong protests: Top court acquits first person jailed for carrying zip ties, rules items ‘not instruments fit for unlawful purposes’


Hong Kong’s top court has ruled that zip ties are “not instruments fit for unlawful purposes” under existing legislation, warning that authorities could penalise “thought crimes” otherwise.

Laying down the landmark ruling, five Court of Final Appeal judges on Friday unanimously acquitted the first person jailed for carrying the plastic fasteners during an anti-government protest in 2019.

The Star Christmas Special Promo: Save 35% OFF Yearly. T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Hong Kong , Top Court , Protester Freed

Next In Aseanplus News

PM welcomes IMF's latest assessment of Malaysia’s economic performance
China’s jobless rate for young people eases to 16.9% as graduates settle for less
Singapore's AGC issues warning to WP leader Pritam Singh and Mediacorp for contempt of court
Collapse of eFishery haunts Indonesia’s startup scene
Paris court rejects French government request to suspend Shein's website for 3 months
Thailand's 2025: Border crisis and natural disasters test governance ahead of election
Govt urged not to slash allowance of medical officers transferred to Sabah, Sarawak
Rising and to rise even further - Vietnam's e-commerce market size estimated at a whopping US$31bil in 2025
Melaka police detain 15 foreigners over human trafficking
Laos and Cambodia launch second phase of cross-border QR code payments

Others Also Read