Jimmy Lai Chee-ying is taken by the police to the headquarters of Apple Daily for investigation in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

HK media tycoon, secessionist Jimmy Lai, HK Alliance's Chow Hang Tung and former opposition politician Gwyneth Ho were found guilty on Thursday over an unauthorized assembly held on June 4, 2020. 

Lai and Chow were found guilty of inciting others to join an unauthorized assembly on June 4, 2020, according to the District Court's decision on Thursday. The court also convicted Chow and Ho of taking part in the unauthorized assembly. 

The HK Alliance's request to hold the vigil on June 4, 2020 in Victoria Park was rejected by the Hong Kong Police Force, citing COVID-19 epidemic concerns. However, hundreds still gathered despite the ban, with many shouting protest slogans and pushing down barriers set up by the police. 

In the verdict, Judge Amanda Woodcock said Lai had attended a press conference outside Victoria Park on that evening along with the assembly's organizer, the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China (HK Alliance), which was a deliberate act to rally support for the illegal gathering. 

A total of 26 people have been charged of knowingly participating, unlawfully inciting others to participate, and/or holding an unauthorized assembly. Lai, Chow and Ho are the only three who pleaded not guilty among 26 defendants. 

Of the other 23 co-defendants, 21 pleaded guilty including the imprisoned secessionist Joshua Wong and Albert Ho. Nathan Law and Sunny Cheung absconded overseas and the court has issued arrest warrants for them.

Global Times