DoJ appeals against Lawrence Lau's acquittal over 35+ subversion case

The Department of Justice (DoJ) confirmed that it has filed an appeal against the acquittal of barrister and former Sham Shui Po district councilor Lawrence Lau Wai-chung over the 35+ subversion case on Thursday.

As for another acquitted former district councilor, Lee Yue-shun, who was also an ex-Civic Party member, he could walk free from the case as DoJ decided not to appeal against his verdict.

A total of 14 pro-democracy activists who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit subversion over the 35+ primary election in 2020 were convicted by the High Court last month. They are Gordon Ng Ching-hang, Cheng Tat-hung, Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying, Pang Cheuk-kei, Kalvin Ho Kai-ming, Helena Wong Pik-wan, Sze Tak-loy, Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, Owen Chow Ka-shing, Lam Cheuk-ting, “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung, Ricky Or Yiu-lam, and Winnie Yu Wai-ming.

The 16 defendants are among 47 democrats arrested in January 2021 and were prosecuted under the Hong Kong National Security Law. They were accused of attempting to paralyze the government and topple the Chief Executive by securing the legislative majority necessary to indiscriminately veto the Budget.

All 14 convicts were remanded immediately and the case was tentatively adjourned to June 25 for mitigation.