Pro-democracy media tycoon and two former lawmakers have been charged with unlawful assembly over an anti-government protest last year.
A police representative confirmed at a very brief press conference that publisher Jimmy Lai, and ex-lawmakers Lee Cheuk-yan and Yeung Sum were arrested this morning before being released on bail, and will appear in Eastern Court on May 5. He then went on to deny that the arrests were politically motivated, saying they were only made after investigations
In addition to the unlawful assembly charge, Lai — who owns the city’s biggest pro-democracy tabloid, Apple Daily — has also been charged with intimidating a reporter from the pro-Beijing newspaper Oriental Daily over an incident that allegedly took place on June 4, 2017.
Officers were seen at Lai’s Ho Man Tin mansion this morning, and he was taken to Kowloon City police station. He left in the afternoon without speaking to reporters.
Lee was taken to Cheung Sha Wan police station, where he accused the government of abusing its power and suppressing human rights, and said that such actions will not stop him and others from protesting and fighting for democracy, before leading chants of “five demands, not one less.”
Shortly afterwards, upon leaving Western police station, Yeung — who was previously chairman of the Democratic Party — told reporters gathered outside that it was odd for police to suddenly come forward and charge him several months later, and urged Hongkongers to continue fighting for freedom and democracy.
According to Apple Daily, all three men took part in an unauthorized march on Aug. 31 on Hong Kong Island from Southorn playground in Wan Chai to St John’s Cathedral.
The trio sang hymns and chanted slogans, and the newspaper reports Lai left the scene after about two hours.
While multiple gatherings took place around the city that day, it is best known as the night where riot police stormed into Prince Edward MTR station and began to beat and pepper-spray frightened commuters.
Police didn’t issue a letter of no objection for any public gatherings to take place that day, meaning that anyone out protesting could be arrested for taking part in an unlawful assembly.
Lai has long been well known for his commitment to pro-democratic causes, marking him for harassment in the past. In September, two men were caught on CCTV throwing what appeared to be two petrol bombs at Lai’s home.
