Hong Kong protests: self-proclaimed paramedic loses appeal against riot conviction over August 31 clash in 2019

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A former transport worker who purportedly acted as a volunteer paramedic during violent clashes on a notorious date of the 2019 Hong Kong protests has lost an appeal against his conviction, with an appellate court ruling out providing first aid to injured protesters as a viable defence.

The Court of Appeal held on Wednesday that the status of being a first-aider did not automatically grant a riot suspect immunity from prosecution, as the act of providing emergency treatment could in certain contexts, such as at the scene of violence, constitute aiding and abetting the disruption of the peace.