National security law: links with 6 unspecified groups proof that Hong Kong alliance behind annual Tiananmen vigil acted as ‘foreign agent’, say prosecutors
- Investigation report connected the alliance to foreign organisations that promoted Hong Kong independence and called for sanctions on China
- Defence demanded fuller access to undisclosed details, arguing a fair trial was not granted as part of the prosecution’s evidence was ‘heavily redacted’
Hong Kong prosecutors have cited links between a now-defunct alliance which used to organise the city’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil and six unspecified groups in accusing it of acting as a “foreign agent”.
The defence, however, argued that the redaction of some probe materials would affect group members’ right to receive a fair trial.
“It will not just affect cross-examination on the spot, but also our own investigation out of the trial itself …. [including] whether we can still have a fair trial without full disclosure to prove that the notice [to provide information] is legal,” Chow Hang-tung, former vice-chair of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, told the court.
Chow, a barrister by profession who defended herself as well as two former standing committee members of the disbanded alliance, Tsui Hon-kwong and Tang Ngok-kwan, appeared at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday.
Article 43 of the Beijing-imposed national security law empowers the police chief to require a foreign agent to provide information on activities concerning Hong Kong.