Former leader of Hong Kong group that organised annual Tiananmen vigil pleads guilty to 3 charges over unauthorised gathering

Lee Cheuk-yan among five to admit liability for their roles in the candlelight vigil in Victoria Park on June 4 last year

Lee is ex-chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China

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People in Hong Kong mark the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 1:16pm, 1 Nov 2021Updated: 11:15pm, 1 Nov 2021

The former leader of the group behind Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil pleaded guilty on Monday to three unauthorised assembly charges for organising last year’s banned event.

Lee Cheuk-yan, the ex-chairman of the now-dissolved Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was among five defendants who admitted liability at the District Court for their roles in the candlelight vigil in Victoria Park on June 4.

Jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying denied inciting others to take part in the illegal gathering, while former alliance vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung and activist Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam each pleaded not guilty to a participation charge.

Lee, who is in jail in connection with other unauthorised assembly cases and awaiting a national security law trial, admitted inciting, organising and participating in last year’s vigil.

Alliance vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung. Photo: Sam Tsang

When asked to indicate his plea, he said commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown was a “just cause”.

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