‘We should not be the focus today’: 2 opposition figures acquitted in Hong Kong 47 case but prosecution to appeal
- Lawrence Lau and Lee Yue-shun freed on bail after court says it cannot ascertain their intention in regards to plot to ‘veto’ budget and paralyse government
- Of 47 opposition figures who faced subversion charges, 16 contested them, with only Lau and Lee acquitted
Two ex-district councillors were acquitted of subversion charges in Hong Kong’s pivotal national security case as the court said it could not be sure of their intention given their silence on “vetoing” or “five demands” – elements that pointed to the guilt of other defendants.
Barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung and social worker Lee Yue-shun walked out of West Kowloon Court on bail on Thursday after prosecutors indicated they would appeal the acquittal of the duo.
A total of 47 opposition figures faced subversion charges for their roles in an unofficial Legislative Council “primary” held two weeks after the Beijing-imposed national security law came into force.
A panel of three High Court judges found that the aim of the unofficial primary poll was to maximise the opposition’s chances of seizing control of Legco as part of a plot to veto the budget indiscriminately and ultimately “undermine, destroy or overthrow” the city’s political system.
At the heart of the case was the plot to “veto” the budget and paralyse the government until it agreed to the “five demands” of protesters during the 2019 social unrest, which the court ruled was an act of subversion under the national security law.
Out of the 16 who contested the charges, only Lau and Lee were acquitted.