A intently watched trial involving 13 individuals who stormed Hong Kong’s legislature throughout pro-democracy protests in 2019 has began with seven folks pleading responsible to a rioting cost.
On July 1 that yr, tons of of protesters stormed Hong Kong’s Legislative Council constructing after a protest march towards a proposed extradition invoice that may have allowed authorities to ship people to mainland China for trial.
The protesters smashed glass and furnishings, destroyed footage and daubed partitions with graffiti. Whereas most of the protesters fled the scene with out being arrested, native police later recognized scores of them, together with a number of the 13 now on trial.
Rioting is punishable by as much as 10 years in jail.
The seven who pleaded responsible included the previous president of the College of Hong Kong’s scholar union, Althea Suen, and pro-democracy activist Ventus Lau.
“I’ve by no means regretted combating for freedom, justice, and democracy from the start to the tip,” Suen wrote in a Fb put up earlier than the trial started.
“In 2023, I’m in Hong Kong, in jail, however my thoughts stays free.”
Six folks pleaded not responsible, together with actor Gregory Wong, and two reporters Wong Ka-ho and Ma Kai Chung. These six face extra costs of illegal entry into the legislature and felony injury which carries a most life sentence.
The trial is predicted to final for 44 days.
“There may be an finish to all good and unhealthy issues,” Wong informed reporters outdoors the courtroom. “It doesn’t matter what the end result, I feel it is attainable to be courageous.”
Greater than 10,200 protesters have been arrested in connection to Hong Kong’s anti-government, pro-democracy protests in 2019 over the since-withdrawn extradition invoice, posing one of many greatest challenges to China’s Communist Occasion leaders since Beijing’s Tiananmen Sq. protests in 1989.
Round 2900 have been prosecuted on costs linked to the protests to date.
Following the protests, China imposed a nationwide safety legislation on Hong Kong that was criticised by some Western governments as a device of repression with scores of democrats and activists arrested, whereas main civil society teams and liberal media retailers have been shut down.
Hong Kong and Chinese language authorities say the safety legislation has introduced stability to the worldwide monetary hub.
