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Retired cardinal Joseph Zen is a trustee of a fund helping protesters facing court cases. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong protests: retired cardinal Joseph Zen and 5 others to stand trial over fund registration, with group also facing national security probe

  • Present case could be prelude to more legal troubles for trustees of the now-defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, with national security investigation under way
  • Case postponed to Monday because magistrate had tested positive for Covid-19
Brian Wong

Retired Hong Kong Catholic leader Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun and five other activists will stand trial on Monday for allegedly failing to register a legal defence fund that helped those embroiled in the 2019 anti-government protests, facing a fine of up to HK$10,000 (US$1,274) if convicted.

The high-profile West Kowloon Court trial will centre on whether the now-defunct 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund required registration under the Societies Ordinance, as well as the defendants’ roles in the group.

Zen, 90, was the fund’s trustee alongside singer Denise Ho Wan-see, former Lingnan University academic Hui Po-keung, and ex-opposition lawmakers Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee and Cyd Ho Sau-lan. The sixth defendant, Sze Ching-wee, was the fund’s secretary.

Cardinal Joseph Zen arrested by Hong Kong’s national security police

The prosecution will be spearheaded by deputy director of public prosecutions Anthony Chau Tin-hang, the lead prosecutor in a number of high-profile cases, including the first trial under the Beijing-decreed national security law.

The trial will be heard by Principal Magistrate Ada Yim Shun-yee, who is among the few jurists hand-picked by the city’s leader to handle national security proceedings, although prosecutors did not specifically ask for a so-called designated judge to preside over the case.

Initially slated for last Monday, the trial was adjourned a week because the magistrate had earlier tested positive for Covid-19.

Singer Denise Ho is among the group facing charges. Photo: Sam Tsang

The six defendants all face a count of failing to apply for registration of an organisation within a specific period between July 16, 2019 and October 31 last year.

Under the ordinance, a local organisation or its branch must register with the societies officer or apply for an exemption within one month of its establishment, or else the responsible person could be fined HK$10,000 upon a first conviction. Subsequent convictions could mean jail terms of as long as three months.

The prosecution will rely on the testimonies of 17 witnesses and eight hours worth of video footage, including evidence showing fund members setting up street booths during the 2019 protests.

Cardinal Zen, 5 others deny charges linked to fund for Hong Kong protesters

The court is expected to hear evidence from Monday to Friday, followed by four days of submissions from parties between late October and early November.

In addition to the court case, officers from the police force’s National Security Department continue an investigation into the group’s alleged collusion with foreign forces.

EU Parliament condemns arrest of Cardinal Zen, 4 other Hong Kong activists

Police have accused the suspects of urging foreign organisations to impose sanctions on Hong Kong. No charges have been laid yet, but they have had their travel documents confiscated pursuant to a court order.

The Beijing-imposed security law, which took on June 30, 2020, criminalises acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

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