Rival Groups Greet 15 Activists Outside Court

Rival groups gathered outside West Kowloon Magistracy on Monday afternoon, as 15 high-profile pro-democracy figures appeared there on charges relating to anti-government protests last year.

The list of defendants included veteran democrats Martin Lee and Margaret Ng, and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Political parties and others were assembled to show their support to those accused of organising and taking part in two unauthorised protests last August and another two in October.

A few dozen government supporters, including members of the pro-establishment group Politihk Social Strategic, also turned up and hurled insults at the defendants, describing them as "traitors" and demanding a heavy sentence for Lai.

But another of the accused, former legislator Lee Cheuk-yan, struck a defiant tone before entering the court building.

"The root of the disturbances in Hong Kong is the Chinese Communist Party, destroying and interfering in One Country, Two Systems. It is [Chief Executive] Carrie Lam depriving Hong Kong of our rights and freedoms," Lee said.

"No matter what happens in the trial, this political prosecution, no matter whether we are sentenced, we will still continue to fight for democracy and freedom," he added.

The other defendants in the case are serving lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung and activists and former legislators Yeung Sum, Sin Chung-kai, Cyd Ho, Albert Ho, Leung Kwok-hung, Au Nok-hin, Figo Chan, Raphael Wong, Avery Ng and Richard Tsoi.