35+ defendant Lee to walk free after no appeal is lodged

Former Civic Party district councillor Lee Yue-shun - one of the two defendants in the 35+ subversion case acquitted by the High Court - will be the first defendant to walk free from the case.

This is because the Department of Justice has decided to only file an appeal against activist and barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung's acquittal, but not against Lee's acquittal.

"We have already officially filed an appeal against Lau's acquittal," the DoJ said.

The duo were among 47 politicians and activists charged for conspiracy to commit subversion by holding an unofficial primary election within the pro-democracy camp in 2020.

They were acquitted by national security High Court judges Andrew Chan Hing-wai, Alex Lee Wan-tang and Johnny Chan Jong-herng.

The judges said Lee Yue-shun had yet to stand for election when his party signed a statement promising to veto the budget.