A Washington state senator was arrested in Hong Kong for carrying a firearm as he passed through the Chinese city’s airport, in what the Republican politician called an “honest mistake.”
Jeff Wilson, of Longview, Washington, was detained after landing at Hong Kong International Airport on Saturday, according to media reports and a statement posted on his website.
Wilson is traveling with his wife for a five-week vacation in Southeast Asia. He appeared in court Monday and was released on bail.
The gun was not registered in Hong Kong but was registered in Washington, the statement said.
“It was an honest mistake, and I expect the situation to be resolved soon,” Wilson was quoted as saying.
Washington state senator Jeff Wilson was arrested in Hong Kong for carrying a gun in his briefcase. SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
According to Wilson’s website, he didn’t realize the gun was in his briefcase when he went through airport security in Portland, and the baggage screener there failed to detect it.
The politician had found an unloaded firearm in his possession mid-flight between San Francisco and Hong Kong and reported it to customs authorities upon landing.
Wilson was forced to surrender his travel documents after Monday’s hearing at the Shatin Magistrate’s Court, local newspaper The Standard reported. It said the next hearing will take place at the West Kowloon Magistrate’s Court on Oct 30.
said he was charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and a court hearing was set for October 30. The state lawmaker said he didn’t realize the gun was in his briefcase when he went through US airport security and only discovered the unloaded weapon mid-flight. .Facebook /
Under Hong Kong law, carrying a firearm without a license is punishable by up to 14 years in prison and a $12,800 fine, but offenders are usually sentenced to a maximum of 2 years.
Washington state Senate Republican leader John Braun said he was following the situation surrounding Wilson’s arrest closely and hoped it would be resolved in time.
“We are learning about the incident with [Wilson] at the same time as the press and the public here in America. As I understand it, this was an honest mistake,” Braun said in a statement.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
