Two plead guilty over protest rally, but seven fight charges

Former lawmakers Au Nok-hin and Leung Yiu-chung have pleaded guilty to charges in connection to an unauthorized assembly in 2019 that also involves seven other opposition politicians.

The pleas were made before District judge Amanda Jane Woodcock at Kowloon Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Au pleaded guilty to organizing and joining an assembly on August 18, 2019, while Leung admitted to participating but not organizing it.

The organizing charge was left on file - meaning the prosecution will not pursue it at the moment.

They were released on bail while mitigation and sentencing have been adjourned to March 22.

The seven other defendants - Next Digital founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, 73, barrister Martin Lee Chu-ming, 82, and ex-lawmakers Albert Ho Chun-yan, 69, Lee Cheuk-yan, 64, Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, 73, "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung, 64, and Cyd Ho Sau-lan, 66 - denied the charges.

The court case drew an all-star list of lawyers for both the prosecution and defense.

Lai is represented by senior counsel Edwin Choy Wai-bond, after Audrey Eu Yuet-mee was sent to quarantine for being listed as a close contact of a patient.

Senior counsel Lawrence Lok Ying-kam represents Martin Lee and Albert Ho. SC Hectar Pun represents Leung Kwok-hung, while SC Ambrose Ho Pui-him represents Margaret Ng.

Lee Cheuk-yan and Cyd Ho are represented by former Bar Association chairman Philip Dykes and Leung Yiu-chung by current chairman Paul Harris.

Before the trial opened, Lok said he needed to submit a report on crowd control and crowd psychology to the court. The prosecution said it needed to read it first before opening its case.

Woodcock adjourned the case to 9.30am today.

It is understood the report was written by Clifford Stott, a British professor of social psychology.

Prosecuting counsel-on-fiat Priscilia Lam Tsz-ying said police only permitted the organizer, Civil Human Rights Front, to hold an assembly at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay between 10am and 6pm on August 18, 2019.

Due to public safety concerns, police declined the organizer permission to hold a rally from Victoria Park to Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct. Police also refused the application to hold an assembly at the pedestrian precinct after the rally at 5pm.

The court was told that Au said in a press conference on August 17, 2019 that he would lead the people joining the assembly to leave Victoria Park toward different MTR stations.

On August 18, front convenor Figo Chan Ho-wun announced that the "water-flow assembly" had started.

The nine defendants held a banner with the slogan: "Stop police from plunging Hong Kong into chaos. Implement the five demands," and led people to march from Victoria Park to Chater Road Pedestrian Precinct.

The court was told that Au and Leung Yiu-chung knew that the procession and assembly were rejected by police, but still participated. Au also chanted: "We appeal to everyone to walk to Victoria Park and jam-pack Victoria Park."

Lai's lawyer Choy told the judge that the media tycoon would not be able to attend the trial tomorrow as he has to apply for bail for another case.

Lai, in custody since December 31, appeared in court yesterday. Codefendant Lee Cheuk-yan told him he looked thinner.

Retired Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, former pro-democracy lawmakers Yeung Sum, Lee Wing-tat, Alan Leong Kah-kit and Lam Cheuk-ting, as well as Raphael Wong Ho-ming and Avery Ng Man-yuen of the League of Social Democrats, and Occupy Central co-founder Chan Kin-man also showed up to show support for the defendants.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com