Hong Kong protests: 15 opposition figures charged over unauthorised rallies apply to have trial put on hold

The defendants, who include media tycoon Jimmy Lai, nine ex-legislators and activists, face 61 charges following their arrests in April

Activist Avery Ng plans to challenge a decision by prosecutors to move the trial to the District Court, where potential penalties are higher

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Media tycoon Jimmy Lai (left), at West Kowloon Court, is one of the 15 defendants. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 7:48pm, 15 Jun 2020Updated: 11:26pm, 15 Jun 2020

Fifteen Hong Kong opposition figures prosecuted over last year’s anti-government protests have applied to have their criminal proceedings put on hold, pending a proposed judicial challenge against the transfer of their case to a higher court, where they potentially face heavier penalties.

Lawyers for activist Avery Ng Man-yuen, one of the 15 defendants charged over four unauthorised rallies between August and October, told West Kowloon Court on Monday that he would challenge a decision by prosecutors to move their trial to the District Court.

The defendants, who include media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, incumbent and former pro-democracy legislators and activists, face 61 charges following their arrests, which were seen by the opposition camp as an attempt to silence dissent, between February and April.

Defendants and their supporters remain defiant outside West Kowloon Court. Photo: Dickson Lee

Police denied any political motives in their action.

Among the charges are organising an unauthorised assembly, knowingly taking part in an unauthorised assembly, and incitement to knowingly take part in an unauthorised assembly.