Two Hong Kong activists charged for trespassing in Japan over protest at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine
- Trial could begin in February, according to duo’s lawyer, who earlier said they could be released on December 28
Two Hong Kong activists arrested in Tokyo over a protest at a war shrine were charged for trespassing on Wednesday, and their first trial could take place in February, according to their lawyer.
The move came as a surprise as the lawyer had predicted earlier that the pair were unlikely to be charged, and that they could be released on December 28.
Their Japanese lawyers said the prosecution highlighted Tokyo’s concern over criticism from foreigners on war issues.
Alex Kwok Siu-kit and Yim Man-wa, of the Action Committee for Defending the Diaoyu Islands, were arrested in Japan on December 12 on suspicion of trespassing at the capital’s Yasukuni Shrine and starting a fire at the site.
The shrine is dedicated to 2.5 million Japanese people killed in conflicts, including 14 of Japan’s top second world war criminals. It has been at the centre of frayed ties with the country’s Asian neighbours.