Hong Kong court grants activist Joshua Wong temporary release on unauthorised assembly, mask ban charges
- Wong, 23, and long-time activist Koo Sze-yiu, 74, are both charged with taking part in an unauthorised assembly last October 5
- The younger opposition figure also faces a charge related to an alleged violation of the government’s mask ban last year
Wong, 23, appeared in Eastern Court on Wednesday afternoon alongside 74-year-old veteran activist Koo Sze-yiu – also released – over their alleged participation in the banned rally in Causeway Bay on October 5, the day the anti-mask law took effect.
The pair were each charged with knowingly taking part in an unauthorised assembly, which is punishable by five years in prison.
Wong was further charged with wearing a facial covering at an unauthorised assembly, which carries a maximum sentence of one year behind bars and a HK$25,000 (US$3,225) fine.
When asked whether he understood the charge against him, Koo said: “Rallies and assemblies need no permission from the Chinese Communist Party.”
Prosecutors said they were ready to hear both men’s pleas, but defence lawyers asked for an adjournment until the city’s top court had ruled on the legality of the mask ban.
