A Hong Kong court has found seven veteran pro-democracy activists guilty of unauthorised assembly, dealing another blow to the city’s beleaguered movement.All of the convicted are over 60, and they
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Senior Hong Kong democrats found guilty in landmark unlawful assembly case
Democratic Party founder and barrister Martin Lee (left) and Albert Ho (right) arrive at the West Kowloon Courts in Hong Kong, Apr 1, 2021. (Photo: REUTERS/Tyrone Siu)
01 Apr 2021 11:58AM Share this content
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HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court found seven prominent democrats guilty of unauthorised assembly charges, including 82-year-old barrister Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, as part of an intensifying crackdown by China.
Lee, who helped launch the city s largest opposition Democratic Party in the 1990s and is often called Hong Kong s father of democracy, was accused of taking part in an unauthorised assembly on Aug 18, 2019.
Veteran Hong Kong democrats found guilty in landmark unlawful assembly case
By Jessie Pang and James Pomfret
Reuters
HONG KONG (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court found seven prominent democrats guilty of unauthorised assembly charges, including 82-year-old barrister Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 72, the latest blow to the city s beleaguered democracy movement.
Lee, who helped launch the city s largest opposition Democratic Party in the 1990s and is often called the former British colony s father of democracy, was accused of taking part in an unauthorised assembly on Aug. 18, 2019.
The silver-haired Lee and the others, all in their 60s or older, sat impassively as district court judge Amanda Woodcock handed down her decision.
CHINA / POLITICS
By Cui Fandi Published: Apr 01, 2021 06:58 PM
Jimmy Lai Photo: VCGJimmy Lai Chee-ying, Hong Kong s media tycoon and a notorious anti-government figure, together with six former lawmakers were found guilty of organizing and attending an unauthorized assembly in 2019.
The verdict shows the independence of the Hong Kong judiciary in being able to withstand pressure to make the right decision based on laws, and that major forces in Hong Kong are coming together to secure the region s stability instead of bowing to foreign intimidation and interference, observers said.
Lai was convicted on Thursday morning alongside six ex-lawmakers, including Martin Lee Chu-ming, another mastermind behind Hong Kong riots in 2019.
Seven of Hong Kong s most prominent pro-democracy campaigners have been convicted of unlawful assembly relating to huge demonstrations two years ago.
Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai (centre) arrives at the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong on December 31, 2020.
Photo: AFP / Isaac Lawrence
Media tycoon Jimmy Lai and veteran politician Martin Lee were among those found guilty of organising an unauthorised march.
All seven had pleaded not guilty but now face time in prison.
A small group of protesters outside the court held posters denouncing political persecution.
Two other activists had earlier already pleaded guilty and face up to five years in jail.