#Newspaper
Arrested Japanese photographer denied entry to Hong Kong to report for bail, police claim charges dismissed
(14 Sep) On 31 August last year, 40-year-old Japanese photographer Mr A (alias) was arrested. On his third trip to Hong Kong to report for bail, he was denied entry and was immediately repatriated without express justification. Uninformed about the status of his case, he feared a further charge of "jumping bail".
With his formative years occurring during the height of Hong Kong's culture, Mr A's initial impression of the city came from the false enchantment of Jackie Chan movies. It was not until the Umbrella Movement in 2014 that he started paying attention to the Hongkongers' fight for democracy. He wanted to fly there but had other obligations at the time.
When the Anti-ELAB (Extradition law amendment bill) movement erupted in June last year, he saw scenes of bloody clashes, resounding slogans and creative graffiti on the news. Unable to bear [the idea] that the blood, sweat and tears of the youth could just vanish, he finally arranged to visit Hong Kong in August and document the historical event through photography. The lack of violence and the solidarity amongst protestors who did not know one another impressed Mr A. "It was nothing like the news portrayed." The kindness he experienced from them warmed his heart.
As the conflict escalated on the evening of 31 August, Mr A made his way back to the hotel to avoid getting caught in the crossfires. That was when the police accosted him at the Wan Chai MTR station. They hit his back and legs with batons and shields. Charged with "unlawful assembly", he was detained for 28 hours before being released on a bail of 100 HKD. All his photography and recording equipment was confiscated as evidence. On 2 September, he flew home to Japan, shaken.
In compliance with his bail conditions, he returned to Hong Kong on 1 and 16 November. He successfully retrieved his camera on his second visit, which enabled him to work on publishing his book. On his third trip on 16 December, he was turned away upon arrival. Neither he nor his lawyer received any updates on the progress of his case up to that point. When Apple Daily inquired, the Hong Kong police claimed that the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence and that they would contact Mr A to retrieve the rest of his belongings. The Immigration Department refused to comment.
As a survivor of police brutality, Mr A realised the immense challenges Hong Kong's fight for democracy that lay ahead. Published in English, Japanese and Cantonese, his book - Hong Kong political graffiti & buff ~ 2019年夏 香港民主化デモ 逮捕された記録~ - compiled photos of graffiti and the experience of his arrest. Mr A remains uncertain if his book had violated the National Security Law and thus be unavailable for sale in Hong Kong. He also wonders about the possibility of visiting Hong Kong again.
#antiELAB #Japanese #Photographer #DeniedEntry
Source: Apple Daily
Translated by: Hong Kong Echo
Arrested Japanese photographer denied entry to Hong Kong to report for bail, police claim charges dismissed
(14 Sep) On 31 August last year, 40-year-old Japanese photographer Mr A (alias) was arrested. On his third trip to Hong Kong to report for bail, he was denied entry and was immediately repatriated without express justification. Uninformed about the status of his case, he feared a further charge of "jumping bail".
With his formative years occurring during the height of Hong Kong's culture, Mr A's initial impression of the city came from the false enchantment of Jackie Chan movies. It was not until the Umbrella Movement in 2014 that he started paying attention to the Hongkongers' fight for democracy. He wanted to fly there but had other obligations at the time.
When the Anti-ELAB (Extradition law amendment bill) movement erupted in June last year, he saw scenes of bloody clashes, resounding slogans and creative graffiti on the news. Unable to bear [the idea] that the blood, sweat and tears of the youth could just vanish, he finally arranged to visit Hong Kong in August and document the historical event through photography. The lack of violence and the solidarity amongst protestors who did not know one another impressed Mr A. "It was nothing like the news portrayed." The kindness he experienced from them warmed his heart.
As the conflict escalated on the evening of 31 August, Mr A made his way back to the hotel to avoid getting caught in the crossfires. That was when the police accosted him at the Wan Chai MTR station. They hit his back and legs with batons and shields. Charged with "unlawful assembly", he was detained for 28 hours before being released on a bail of 100 HKD. All his photography and recording equipment was confiscated as evidence. On 2 September, he flew home to Japan, shaken.
In compliance with his bail conditions, he returned to Hong Kong on 1 and 16 November. He successfully retrieved his camera on his second visit, which enabled him to work on publishing his book. On his third trip on 16 December, he was turned away upon arrival. Neither he nor his lawyer received any updates on the progress of his case up to that point. When Apple Daily inquired, the Hong Kong police claimed that the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence and that they would contact Mr A to retrieve the rest of his belongings. The Immigration Department refused to comment.
As a survivor of police brutality, Mr A realised the immense challenges Hong Kong's fight for democracy that lay ahead. Published in English, Japanese and Cantonese, his book - Hong Kong political graffiti & buff ~ 2019年夏 香港民主化デモ 逮捕された記録~ - compiled photos of graffiti and the experience of his arrest. Mr A remains uncertain if his book had violated the National Security Law and thus be unavailable for sale in Hong Kong. He also wonders about the possibility of visiting Hong Kong again.
#antiELAB #Japanese #Photographer #DeniedEntry
Source: Apple Daily
Translated by: Hong Kong Echo