Appeal to fight acquittals

The Department of Justice has appealed hours after the acquittals of barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung and former district councilor Lee Yue-shun in a national security case.

Lau, a former Sham Shui Po district councillor, told the media outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court that he has no plans to leave the city despite his acquittal.

"I should not be the focus of today, and I hope everyone can continue to pay attention to other [defendants] in the case," he said.

"If there is a focus, it should be the verdict. The focus should be on the judges' interpretation and reasoning behind the verdict, as it is relevant to the rule of law in HK."

He acknowledged there could be a "continuation of the case" and declined to comment further.

Similarly, Lee, a former Eastern District councillor and ex-Civic Party member, said he could not comment on the verdict as the DoJ intended to appeal.

The social worker said he felt at peace and planned to enjoy yum cha with his family.

In the afternoon hearing, Maggie Yang Mei-kei, director of public prosecutions, informed the court that the DoJ was appealing against Lau's and Lee's acquittal and requested the court to maintain their bail conditions.

The pair's bail was extended on the same terms, except they are required to report to police once a month.

The trial was attended by a significant number of observers, including representatives from foreign consulates such as Britain, Italy, France, Ireland, Czech Republic, Australia and the United States, and representatives from the European Union office.

"We are here today because the Hong Kong 47 case is very high-profile, and we want to show our close interest," said Matthias Kaufmann, deputy head of the EU Office to Hong Kong and Macau.

Democratic Party leaders Lo Kin-hei and Emily Lau Wai-hing were also present to observe.

Four activists from the League of Social Democrats, including the chair, Chan Po-ying, wife of defendant Leung Kwok-hung, were arrested for alleged misconduct in public after they unfurled a protest banner in the queue for the public gallery.

Prison vans carrying the defendants arrived at the court building at around 8.30am. Police officers deployed there wore bulletproof vests, while police vehicles were stationed outside, including the anti-riot "Saber-Toothed Tiger."

There were also some 20 officers stationed inside the extension part of the courtroom.

The defendants gradually entered the dock slightly before the trial started at 10am. Some waved at the public gallery.

Pang Cheuk-kei and Ricky Or Yiu-lam looked relaxed and chatted with correctional services officers. The conversation was later joined by Chan Chi-chuen and Helena Wong Pik-wan.

Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying repeatedly made the "V" sign and placed it over her head.

Dozens of people queued outside, with some having waited overnight. Activist dentist Lee Ying-chi was among the people at the front of the queue. He arrived at 5am after she was released on bail at around 11pm the night before.

She was arrested on Tuesday for sedition along with Tonyee Chow Hang-tung and four others. Lee said some of the defendants were her friends, and she wanted to check in with them.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com