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
