Hong Kong court grants partial victory to Jimmy Lai, 6 ex-opposition lawmakers over roles in banned 2019 march during anti-government protests
- Court quashes one of two charges against seven over banned march during 2019 unrest
- Seven were convicted in 2021 of organising and taking part in unauthorised assembly involving 1.7 million people
The Court of Appeal on Monday found the seven opposition figures, including veteran democrat Martin Lee Chu-ming, could not be held liable for organising the assembly turned march on Hong Kong Island on August 18, 2019.
But the three presiding judges unanimously upheld the trial court’s finding that the appellants had taken part in the unapproved rally that began as a lawful assembly.
The bench also ruled as lawful a notification scheme which required protesters to obtain police approval to stage demonstrations, adding the accused could not challenge the legality of their prosecution after flouting a law which was constitutionally sound.
The verdict means shorter jail terms for Lai, the founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, and three former opposition lawmakers – Lee Cheuk-yan, “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung and Cyd Ho Sau-lan.
But all seven, who include ex-legislators Albert Ho Chun-yan and Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, have already completed their sentences.
On the record, Lai’s 12-month jail term was reduced to nine months, while the sentences handed to Lee Cheuk-yan, Leung and Cyd Ho were cut to between five and 12 months.
