HONG KONG: Protesters in Hong Kong on Sunday (Jul 5) burnt effigies
of Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and founding Prime
Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew at a demonstration held to demand the
release of teen blogger Amos Yee.
About 50 people from various civic and political groups gathered
with banners and placards near the Singapore Consulate in Admiralty
district, one day ahead of Yee’s expected sentencing, reported the
South China Morning Post.
A photo posted by the Hong Kong newspaper on its website showed
protesters setting alight effigies of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, as
well as the current Prime Minister.
Yee, 16, was found
guilty of two charges earlier this year: Posting an
obscene caricature online featuring the elder Mr Lee and former
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, as well as publishing a
video intended to hurt the religious feelings of Christians.
He is currently under
remand at the Institute of Mental Health, to assess his
suitability for a mandatory treatment order, after a doctor’s
report said he may have autism spectrum disorder.
Protesters in Hong Kong also rallied
for Yee’s release last week. About 50 university students
took part in the protest on Jun 30, and they handed a petition
letter to Mr Howard Fu, Vice Consul-General of Singapore to Hong
Kong.
- CNA/xq