Appeal for 12 Hong Kong activists concludes amid unfair trial claims
HONG KONG - An appeal hearing for 12 pro-democracy activists convicted of subversion under Hong Kong's national security law ended earlier than expected on July 17, with two defence lawyers arguing that their clients had not received a fair trial.
The appeal stems from the "47 democrats" case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in 2021.
Forty five of the defendants were jailed last year for holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020, soon after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to pro-democracy protests the year before.
Their sentences ranged between four to 10 years. Two were acquitted, while 12 appealed the conviction on July 14.
Judge Jeremy Poon said on July 17 that the judgment would be made within nine months given the case's complexity. After that, it would still be possible to seek an appeal to Hong Kong's highest court.
Government prosecutor Andy Lo said on July 17 that the case involved "an unprecedented conspiracy".
Erik Shum, representing former lawmakers Helena Wong and Lam Cheuk-ting, said "the court sentencing process was wrong in principle, and hence the ultimate sentence was incorrect and it should be toned down". Wong was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months while Lam was sentenced to 6 years and nine months.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail
Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore
Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning
Singapore $7,000 fine for eatery chain involved in ByteDance food poisoning case
Singapore Bicycle wheel-inspired care model used to improve trauma outcomes in central S'pore
Life 11 new entries on Singapore's Bib Gourmand list, including three re-entries at Old Airport Road
Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events
Singapore 15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams
During the four-day hearing, two defence lawyers argued on July 16 that the three judges who presided over the earlier trial had frequently interrupted some defendants during cross-examination.
"The trial court was interventionist from very early on," said Robert Pang, a lawyer for unionist Winnie Yu. He said that the court repeatedly disallowed questions on grounds of irrelevance.
Lawyer Steven Kwan said his client, activist Owen Chow did not receive a fair trial as "his evidence was disbelieved very early on". He also said the judges posed 45 per cent of all the questions put to Chow, who was later sentenced to 7 years and 9 months.
Prosecutor Derek Lau said judges had the right to ask questions, noting it was not a jury trial.
"There is no unfairness that can be observed, that is to the prejudice of the defender in these questions," Mr Lau said.
Prosecutors had said the defendants sought to paralyse the government and force the city's leader to resign by securing a legislative majority to indiscriminately veto budget proposals.
Under Article 52 of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the chief executive must step down if the legislature twice rejects the government's budget.
Lawyer Trevor Beel, representing activist Gwyneth Ho, said on July 16 that legislators had a duty to use whatever legitimate means to negotiate with the government and that the Basic Law allows for a budget not to be passed.
Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 with a promise of freedom and autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework, and eventual universal suffrage under the Basic Law.
If Ms Ho wanted to achieve dual universal suffrage and an effective legislature, then it "was not radical, and this is not against the principle of one country, two systems," Beel said. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
2,400 vapes, related components found in Singapore-bound lorry at Tuas Checkpoint
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The lorry was carrying cargo declared as precast products. SINGAPORE - A total of 2,400 units of vapes and their related components were found on a lorry entering Singapore at the Tuas Checkpoint on July 29. In a statement on Facebook on July 30, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that it foiled the smuggling attempt made via a Malaysia-registered lorry. The lorry was carrying cargo declared as precast products. Based on information received by ICA's Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), ICA officers directed the vehicle for enhanced checks. The vapes and related components were then found hidden inside the lidded compartment of a flat plate, which was on top of the trailer chassis. A chassis is an undercarriage structure that supports the vehicle's other components, such as the engine and wheels. The case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made The ITC is a new unit under ICA which analyses collected facial and iris biometrics data , using data analytics to identify high-risk foreigners before their arrival. These foreigners are then flagged for more stringent checks at immigration. A total of 33,100 foreigners were denied entry in 2024 after being found to pose immigration or security risks to the nation, according to figures released in February. From January 2024 to March 2025, HSA seized $41 million worth of vapes – nearly fivefold the reported value of vapes seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by The Straits Times. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that they are looking at enhancing laws around vaping . On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that both ministries are also working together to list etomidate , which is increasingly being abused through vapes, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. With etomidate listed as a Class C drug under the Act, the authorities will be able to take tougher actions against suppliers and users of vapes with the drug. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences.
International Business Times
2 days ago
- International Business Times
Singapore Lorry Driver, 55, Charged for Causing S$1.4M Damage in CTE Tunnel Crash
A 55-year-old man will be charged in court on Wednesday, July 30, for driving a heavy motor vehicle that collided with a building or structure, as well as driving a heavy motor vehicle over 4.5 meters in height without police escort. This comes after the man's lorry with a crane attachment damaged parts of the Central Expressway (CTE) tunnel last year. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that they were alerted to the collision on November 8, 2024, around noon, when the vehicle entered the slip road along Cairnhill Road into the CTE tunnel. Investigations revealed that the driver was driving a lorry with a raised crane boom when the crane boom collided with the height limit barrier and the tunnel while entering the slip road along Cairnhill Road into the CTE tunnel. SPF said in a statement, "The collision caused extensive damage to the height limit barrier and the mechanical and electrical units of the tunnel, amounting to about $1.4 million in damages. The driver was placed under arrest on the same day for the offences of driving a heavy motor vehicle which collided into any building or structure and driving a heavy motor vehicle exceeding 4.5 meters in height without police escort. This is his second time committing both offences." Under Section 65A of the Road Traffic Act of 1961, driving a heavy motor vehicle and colliding with any building or structure is punishable by a fine of up to S$5,000, a maximum jail sentence of two years, or both. If this is the second or subsequent conviction, the maximum penalty is S$10,000, a maximum jail sentence of up to five years, or both. Additionally, offenders may be prohibited from operating any kind of vehicle. "The offence of driving a heavy vehicle with overall height exceeding 4.5m without police escort under Section 79(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 carries a mandatory jail term between one and three years, and a fine up to S$2,000; and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, a mandatory jail term between two and five years, and a fine up to S$5,000," added SPF. Police reminded owners and operators of large motor vehicles taller than 4.5 meters that they need police or auxiliary police escorts. "Drivers should plan their routes carefully to avoid height-restricted roads and structures. The Traffic Police take a serious view of such offences as they compromise road infrastructure and endanger other road users," said police. "Firm action will be taken against motorists who fail to obtain the necessary escorts or cause damage to buildings and structures."
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Locusts spread in Ukraine's south as war disrupts control measures
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Swarms of locusts are covering roads, fields and bushes in Zaporizhzhia region. KUSHUHUM, Ukraine - A massive locust invasion is threatening sunflower and other crops in Ukraine's southern regions, largely caused by the war against Russia's invasion that makes it impossible to use traditional pest control methods, officials and producers say. Locusts, which can destroy huge areas of crops in a matter of days, traditionally breed in secluded places along rivers or in uncultivated areas, and controlling that is almost impossible in regions neighbouring the frontline. The situation is complicated by record high temperatures this summer, the inability to use aircraft for locust control and the absence of birds - locusts' natural predators - which are avoiding the combat zone. Local and government officials declined to provide data on the extent of the locust infestation or damage caused so far. Ukraine is the world's largest sunflower oil exporter, and before the war ranked fifth among wheat exporters. Swarms of locusts are covering roads, fields and bushes in Zaporizhzhia region and farmers say the insects have destroyed up to a third of their sunflower crops. "We saw a big swarm. And the next day the 'infantry' marched in. The small ones, they ate everything that was hanging low, they ate everything," said Mr Oleh Tolmatov, 46, a resident of Kushuhum village in Zaporizhzhia region. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Business S'pore's economic resilience will face headwinds in second half of 2025 from tariffs, trade conflicts: MAS Business S'pore's Q2 total employment rises, but infocomm and professional services sectors see more job cuts Singapore Fewer than 1 in 5 people noticed suspicious items during MHA's social experiments Asia Powerful 8.8-magnitude quake in Russia's far east causes tsunami; Japan, Hawaii order evacuations Singapore Migrant workers who gave kickbacks to renew work passes were conservancy workers at AMK Town Council Asia Japan, Vietnam, EU contest terms of US tariff deals behind the scenes Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, has partially occupied the southern Ukrainian regions of Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv and Kherson, forcing farmers to abandon their fields. Grains and oilseeds are traditional crops for these regions. "The reason for all of this is high temperatures, the reason for all of this is abandoned land, the reason for all of this is the corresponding Russian aggression," Mr Vadym Chaikovskyi, Ukraine's Chief Phytosanitary Inspector, told Reuters. Mr Denys Marchuk, deputy head of Ukraine's largest farm producers' union UAC, said that the destruction of the Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River by Russian troops two years ago had created huge swampy areas where locusts are breeding. Kyiv says that Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam in the summer of 2023, draining thousands of square kilometres of the former reservoir and leaving farms and Europe's largest nuclear power plant without water. REUTERS
