Source: Global Times
A total of 26 Hong Kong opposition figures were charged with participating in an illegal assembly last June, and former "branch chairman" Lee Cheuk-jin and others pleaded guilty on November 1.
Hong Kong's Oriental Daily said on November 1 that Lai Chi-ying, founder of Next Media who was serving a sentence at Stanley Prison, was prosecuted last June for appearing at an unlawful assembly in Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, despite police opposition. He and a number of 8 key members of the "Branch Federation", which was banned by the SAR government last month, denied the crime of inciting others to participate in an unauthorized assembly, the crime of knowingly participating in an unauthorized assembly, and the crime of knowingly holding an unauthorized assembly. However, five of the defendants, including Lee Cheuk-yan, "Branch Federation Vice Chairman" Choi Yiu-cheong, former Legislative Council member Leung Yiu-chung, former "Branch Standing Committee Member" Leung Kam Wai and Democratic Party Chairman Ho Chi-wai, decided to plead guilty, and the judge is scheduled to hear their pleas on November 12. The remaining three defendants, including Lai Chi-ying, Zou Xingtong, vice chairman of the "Branch Federation", and former journalist He Guilan, denied the charges and continued to be tried on the 2nd.
According to the Sing Tao Daily, Li Zhuo, Zou Xingtong and others, as well as the "branch federation," were also suspected of violating Hong Kong's national security law and charged with a crime of inciting subversion of state power. The case was postponed until January 10 next year for further investigation by the police.
Hong Kong media recalled that in April last year, the "Branch Federation" informed the police that a rally would be held in June, but the Department of Health believed that it was difficult for the public to implement statutory epidemic prevention measures and did not recommend holding it, and the police also did not approve the rally because of the high-risk activities under the epidemic. However, the opposition encouraged supporters to participate in the rally, resulting in the destruction of the grounds and facilities in the Garden. It is understood that there were originally 26 defendants in the case, in addition to the above 8 people, two other defendants have absconded overseas, and the remaining 16 defendants have earlier pleaded guilty and have been sentenced to prison for 4 months to 10 months, but 3 have been granted suspended sentences.