Russian man fined for carrying used ammunition

HONG KONG - A Russian man arrested by Hong Kong police for carrying shells of used tear gas rounds and rubber bullets has pleaded guilty to charges of "possession of ammunition without a license".

Police were called to the Hong Kong International Airport on Wednesday after security officers found seven pieces of used ammunition in the luggage of the 30-year-old engineer who was about to leave Hong Kong.

The convict heard his case on Friday morning at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts where he was sentenced a fine of HK$3,000 (US$383) for this offence, which carries a maximum jail term of 14 years and a fine of HK$100,000 upon conviction in Hong Kong.

The lawyer pleaded for leniency on the claim that the defendant who happened to find these shells in Mong Kok during his stay in the city was intended to take them as souvenirs and he knew nothing about Hong Kong laws.

Police sources confirmed the seized shells were used by frontline officers in fiery clashes with radical anti-government protesters. The force urged members of the public not to pick up used ammunition left on the streets.

Also this week, a Hong Kong reporter was arrested on the same charge after he was allegedly found collecting about 40 pieces of used ammunition without a license.