A court in Hong Kong has found seven prominent pro-democracy politicians and campaigners guilty of unauthorised assembly over their role in a peaceful protest that was one of the biggest rallies in the Chinese-controlled city in 2019.
Those convicted on Thursday include media tycoon Jimmy Lai, as well as 82-year-old Martin 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”.
The silver-haired Lee and the others sat impassively as district court judge Amanda Woodcock handed down her decision.
“I have found after trial the prosecution able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that all of the defendants together organised what amounted to an unauthorised assembly,” the district court judge noted in the full written judgement.
The convictions come amid a crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong and just days after Chinese officials approved a major overhaul of the territory's electoral system that tightens Beijing's control.
efe-epaHong Kong
Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai guilty of staging illegal rally
Former lawmaker Lee Cheuk-Yan holds banners as he arrives the West Kowloon court buildings in Hong Kong, China, 01 April 2021. EFE-EPA/JEROME FAVRE
Former lawmakers Lee Cheuk-yan, (R), and Cyd Ho, (L), talk to reporters outside the West Kowloon court buildings in Hong Kong, China, 01 April 2021. EFE-EPA/JEROME FAVRE
Former lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung, (C), leaves the West Kowloon court buildings in Hong Kong, China, 01 April 2021. EFE-EPA/JEROME FAVRE
Hong Kong press magnate Jimmy Lai and six other former opposition deputies were found guilty Thursday of organizing and participating in an unauthorized anti-government demonstration.
Thursday, 01 Apr 2021 01:52 PM MYT
Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, leaves the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong, China February 9, 2021. Reuters pic
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HONG KONG, April 1 ― 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 August 18, 2019.