Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai sentenced for participating in banned rally
Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai during his participation in the commemoration ceremony for the Tianamen Square massacre on June 4, 2020. AP - Kin Cheung
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In Hong Kong, pro-democracy press mogul Jimmy Lai and two other pro-democracy activists were found guilty of inciting and participating in an unauthorized rally while attending the vigil to commemorate the massacre of Tiananmen Square, June 4, 2020.
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With our correspondent in Hong Kong,
Florence de Changy
The halls of Wan Chai District Court were once again buzzing on Thursday morning.
Particularly on the 8th floor.
Inside court No. 25, Thursday morning, only a few dozen relatives have a seat.
No surprise verdict
Just seated, Judge Amanda Woodstock delivered her verdict.
Unsurprisingly, the three defendants are found guilty of unlawful assembly and incitement during the 2020 Tiananmen Massacre Memorial Vigil. The vigil has been held annually since 1989, but it was banned for the first time in 30 years. , in 2020 under the pretext of Covid-19.
A total of 24 people were arrested in connection with this unauthorized vigil of 2020 but the 21 others had pleaded guilty while
Jimmy Lai, owner of the largest pro-democratic newspaper today closed
, as well as the young journalist Gwyneth Ho engaged in politician and human rights lawyer Chow Hang-tung have all pleaded not guilty.
Outside the courtroom, Pastor Din explains how Hong Kong people can support their fellow citizens who are currently being sued in the courts by the dozen.
Support by "
prayer
"
“
For me as a pastor, I provide my support through prayer.
But each person uses their own methods.
For example, there are people who come to court every day to show their solidarity.
And today we shouted
"Happy Birthday"
to Jimmy when he
got
in [in the accused box, editor's note].
That's all we can do, for the moment…
”, he concludes.
► To read also: Jimmy Lai: "The national security law signs the death sentence of Hong Kong"
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