A Hong Kong lawmaker criticized the conviction Thursday of a teenager for carrying a laser pointer, saying it could pave the way for more prosecutions of anti-government
protesters amid months of unrest in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
Local broadcaster RTHK said a court found a 16-year-old male student guilty of possessing the laser pointer and a modified umbrella — deemed to be offensive weapons.
The court reportedly ruled the youth had intended to use the laser pointer to cause harm to
police by shining it in their eyes.