Court Orders Jimmy Lai Not To Leave Hong Kong

Media tycoon Jimmy Lai and pro-democracy veterans Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Sum appeared in court on Tuesday charged with joining an illegal assembly last year, with the Apple Daily founder ordered not to leave Hong Kong ahead of a trial on a separate intimidation charge.

The three, who were arrested and charged in February, did not have to enter pleas regarding the unauthorised demonstration on August 31 last year, a day which saw violent clashes on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, as well as a police raid on Prince Edward MTR Station.

Lai did plead not guilty to a separate charge of criminal intimidation relating to an alleged offence at Victoria Park in 2017.

The three men were also among 15 prominent pro-democracy figures arrested and charged on April 18 over other anti-government protests last year.

West Kowloon principle magistrate Peter Law agreed with the prosecution's request that the trio's case be combined with the larger group's "for better case management", with a court date for this set for May 18.

The magistrate released Lai, Lee and Yeung on bail of HK$1,000 in the meantime.

As for Lai's intimidation charge, a trial date was set for August 19. He was released on bail of HK$4,000 ahead of the hearing, ordered not to leave Hong Kong and to report to a police station once a week.

Lai was also told not to interfere with two prosecution witnesses.

Prosecutors had also sought bans on Lee and Yeung leaving the territory, and speaking after the hearing Lee accused the Department of Justice of "political suppression".

Rival groups had gathered inside and outside the court, one side backing the trio and the other there to show their opposition.

Occupy Central co-founder Chan Kin-man, former Democratic Party chairs Emily Lau and Lee Wing-tat and the Labour Party’s Cyd Ho were among those showing support for the three men.

The opponents included Po Chun-chung of the Defend Hong Kong Campaign, who accused the democracy advocates of “misguiding young people and ruining their lives“ with the recent anti-government protests.

Lee accused the government and police of abusing their powers to arrest and prosecute pro-democracy activists, while Yeung urged people to continue to fight to protect their rights and freedoms.

"I call upon the Hong Kong people to stand firm, and to stand [up] for their civil rights, political rights and legal rights," Yeung said.