NPR report
A Hong Kong court has convicted seven prominent pro-democracy advocates, including lawyer Martin Lee and media tycoon Jimmy Lai, of unlawful assembly for their roles in organizing an anti-government protest.
The convictions on Thursday come amid a general crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong and just days after Chinese officials approved a major overhaul of the its electoral system that gives Beijing near-total control in choosing the territory’s leaders.
Leung Kwok-hung, a former Hong Kong lawmaker known as “Long Hair,” was also among those convicted.
“Shame on political prosecution! Peaceful demonstration is not a crime,” Leung shouted after the conviction, according to the South China Morning Post.
Others found guilty were Margaret Ng, Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho, and Cyd Ho — all veterans of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement.
Their next court appearance is scheduled for April 16, when mitigation pleas will be heard in an effort to reduce their sentences, which could amount to several years in prison.
Two others, former pro-democracy lawmakers Au Nok-hin and Leung Yiu-chung, pleaded guilty in February.
More at. https://www.npr.org/2021/04/01/983346689/hong-kongs-jimmy-lai-6-others-found-guilty-for-roles-in-pro-democracy-protests
