Jury chosen for first case involving city's anti-terrorism laws

The High Court has selected a nine-member jury - three men and six women - for the city's first case under the anti-terrorism laws involving seven suspects accused of planning to set off bombs and use firearms to target police during the Human Rights Day march in 2019.

During the jury selection, both the prosecution and defense opposed over 40 candidates. Some claimed they had purchased flight tickets for vacation or business trips, while one said he was a labor officer investigating an industrial accident that had resulted in fatalities and injuries. He was subsequently disqualified.

Also, a man who claimed to have been a former classmate of defense barrister Winson Yung Kit-fan was exempted.

The trial is expected to run 60 days, concluding on July 18. But High Court judge Judianna Wai-ling Barnes said: "There is no assurance that the trial will be completed within the designated timeframe."

Up to 60 witnesses are expected to be called. The prosecution is scheduled to deliver its opening statement today.

To minimize inconvenience to the jury, proceedings will commence at 8.45am daily and conclude at 1.45pm, with two breaks.

Barnes also reminded the jury that they should refrain from discussing the trial with others and promptly report any attempts by external parties to approach or disturb them.

The six male defendants - Cheung Chun-fu, 24, Cheung Ming-yu, 21, Yim Man-him, 22, Christian Lee Ka-tin, 25, Lai Chun-pong, 30, and Justin Hui Cham-wing, 25 - have all pleaded not guilty to a joint conspiracy of targeting specific objects with explosive devices.

They are accused of conspiring with at least seven others between August 1, 2019, and December 8, 2019, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm.

The defendants have also denied an alternative charge of conspiring to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause significant property damage. They have pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiring to murder police during the same period.

Lee also faces a charge of possessing arms and ammunition with intent to endanger life. It is alleged that he was in possession of a pistol, a magazine, and 14 bullets.

The sole female defendant, Lau Pui-ying, 24, has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to provide or collect property for committing terrorist acts between August 1, 2019, and December 9, 2019.

According to the prosecution, the radical opposition group known as the "Dragon Slaying Brigade" planned to employ firearms and explosives to target police and seize their service revolvers during a march organized by the now-disbanded Civil Human Rights Front on December 8, 2019, which coincided with Human Rights Day.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com