12 activists appeal for convictions in 35+ subversion case

Twelve pro-democracy activists, including former lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting and "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung, appealed their convictions and jail terms in the 35+ subversion case and the hearings started on Monday at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts. 

They were among 45 individuals who were sentenced in November over a 2020 informal primary election that authorities deemed a subversive plot.

Activists Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam and Helena Wong Pik-wan are among the appellants, while former Southern district councillor Michael Pang Cheuk-kei withdrew his appeal application before the hearing. 

The appeals are expected to take around 10 days.

Meanwhile, prosecutors also requested to overturn the acquittal of barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung, one of two people found not guilty in May 2024 from an original group of 47 accused.