The High Court has granted an interim injunction order against promotion, encouragement and incitement of the use or threat of violence through an Internet-based platform or medium. The injunction will remain in force up to 10.30am on November 15.

The injunction restrains people from:

(a) Wilfully disseminating, circulating, publishing or re-publishing on any Internet-based platform or medium (including but not limited to LIHKG and Telegram) any material or information that promotes, encourages or incites the use or threat of violence, intended or likely to cause:

(i) bodily injury to any person unlawfully within Hong Kong; or

(ii) damage to any property unlawfully within Hong Kong.

(b) Assisting, causing, counselling, procuring, instigating, inciting, aiding, abetting or authorising others to commit any of the aforesaid acts or participate in any of the aforesaid acts.

Since June, there have been numerous instances of violent protests and vandalising acts in many districts of Hong Kong including but not limited to criminal damage to property, assaults of the person, riots and arson.

The use of an Internet-based platform or medium, given its anonymous and instantaneous nature in communication as well as accessibility, have been abused by some to incite protesters to participate in unlawful activities, to promote the use of weapons and to mobilise protesters to damage targeted properties and injure targeted individuals (in particular police officers). 

Such acts have seriously breached public peace and posed a grave and genuine danger to Police and the public.

The Secretary for Justice as guardian of the public interest applied to the court yesterday for an ex parte injunction to restrain people from unlawfully and wilfully conducting themselves in these acts.