#FreeAgnes #PoliticalPersecution
#AgnesChow: Trying Hard to Adapt to Life in Prison

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow, a former member of #Demosisto, was arrested and imprisoned for 10 months on charges of inciting, organizing and partaking illegal assembly.

A friend of her visited Chow during the Lunar New Year and wrote on her Facebook afterwards. She said Chow’s life in prison was mostly about reading, listening to the radio and looking forward to receiving letters.

She said Chow has just finished reading #NorwegianWood and wanted to carry on reading books by Japanese authors #HarukiMurakami and #KeigoHigashino.

Chow told her friend to send gratitude to her supporters, saying that she is working hard to adapt to prison life.

"During the time in prison, my mental and health conditions have not been well. I hope I can take a break and regain my health once being discharged in June," said Chow.

Source: Stand News; #Feb16
https://www.thestandnews.com/politics/%E5%91%A8%E5%BA%AD-%E4%BB%8D%E5%9C%A8%E5%8A%AA%E5%8A%9B%E9%81%A9%E6%87%89%E7%9B%A3%E7%8D%84%E7%94%9F%E6%B4%BB-%E6%9C%9F%E5%BE%85%E6%94%B6%E4%BF%A1%E8%A7%A3%E6%82%B6/

#Prison #Reading #HongKongProtest

#Court #818Rally #PoliticalPersecution
German Parliament Member: We should not give up on Hong Kong democracy advocates

Source: Stand News #Feb17

Read more
⬇️⬇️

#Court #818Rally #PoliticalPersecution
German Parliament Member: We should not give up on Hong Kong democracy advocates

In Hong Kong, a number of pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong were accused of "organising and participating in the an assembly at Victoria Park on August 18, 2019 during the Anti-ELAB movement.

Among them were Lee Chu-Ming, Founding Chairman of the Democratic Party; Margaret Ng Ngoi-Yee, barrister and ex-Legislative Councillor; and Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, Founder of Apple Daily. They were charged of "oganising and taking part in an unauthorised assembly". The trial began in court on Feb 16, 2021.

In Germany, #GydeJensen, the youngest female member of the #GermanParliament, showed support for the pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. She uploaded photos of her holding up a sign which said “WE STAND WITH HONGKONG”. She also mentioned that she had made motion in the parliament, urging #Germany and the #EU to show more concern on human rights issues.

Jensen stated that the prosecution of the pro-democracy figures was undoubtedly a political one, and was part of Xi Jinping’s plan to silence the democratic movement in Hong Kong, so that Hong Kong people would give up their hope on freedom and democracy.

Jensen warns that the agenda also applied to the international level. She stressed that international figures could not let themselves get numbed by Hong Kong’s current situation, nor give up on Hong Kong’s democratic advocates.

Source: Stand News #Feb17

#GlobalSupport #JimmyLai #MargaretNg #StandWithHongKong #InternationalSociety

#PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution
#PowerforDemocracy Disbanded in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, Power for Democracy announced its immediate disbandment on Feb 27, 2021.

Set up in 2002, the group has coordinated the district council elections in 2019 and the pro-democracy camp’s #LegCo primaries in 2020.

In Jan 2021, the Hong Kong authorities arrested over 50 poltical figures for participating in the primaries and "vioating the #NationalSecurityLaw".

In a statement, convenor and district councillor #AndrewChiu said the decision was made regarding “the latest development in the situation of Hong Kong under the 'new political era'.”

Chiu said the group has now stopped running, but members will continue to serve Hong Kong people.

Source: Stand News; RTHK #Feb27

https://bit.ly/3uCBJ6J

https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1577878-20210227.htm

#FirstHand #Feb28
Hong Kong Police charge 47 Pro-democracy Figures for "Subverting State Powers"; Lester Shum: Hongkongers Will Not Surrender to the Authoritarian Regime

See photos:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28801

The photos captured moments before Hong Kong pro-democracy activist #LesterShum arrived at the Police Station on Feb 28, 2021. Shum had been become known as a student activist during the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong. Currently, he is a district councillor of the Tsuen Wan District in Hong Kong and is likely to lose his seat while facing political persecution and oppression.

The 27-year-old Shum went hand in hand with his newly-wedded wife to the police station. He talked to the media calmly before heading in to face the unknown.

Shum said in 2019 he had made his decision to fight on, regardless of what might happen. He hoped like himself, Hongkongers would not surrender to the authoritarian regime.

See video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28805

Shum was among those 55 pro-democracy figures arrested by the police on Jan 5, 2021 for their involvement in the pro-democracy camp's primary elections in July 2020.

2 days ago, on Feb 26, they had been ordered by the police to report to the police station on Sunday, Feb 28 ahead of the scheduled date in April. Many suspected that detention and charges would be made.

The Hong Kong Police announced on Jan 28, 2021 that 47 people are charged with "conspiracy to subvert state powers" under the #NationalSecurityLaw.

The large group of pro-democracy politicians and activists include district councilor Lester Shum (see photos); 'Long Hair' Leung Kwok-hung and Jimmy Sham of Social Democrats; activist Ventus Lau; former law professor Benny Tai.

The police said they would detain them overnight and the case will be mentioned in the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court the next day on March 1, 2021.

#MassArrest #Regime #Authoritarianism #PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution

======
Read more:

Pro-Democracy Activists in Hong Kong Face #PoliticalPersecution

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28795

#PoliticalPersecution #Humanity
Arrested Pro-Democracy Figures tell Hongkongers: "Hang in there", "Be a Human, be yourself"

Source: InMedia #Feb28

Read more
⬇️⬇️
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28825

#PoliticalOppression
Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit: Hope the world knows HongKongers are the glory of Hong Kong

Jimmy Sham Tsz-kit said he once understood the differences between abiding and breaking the law. However, the world has inverted black and white. Even under the authorities' suppression, he still believes that the Hong Kong government cannot detain all freedom fighters. Also, he always believes Hongkongers who had participated in the 2 million march persisted in their belief. He described, "Today is to temper our willpower." He hopes the world can see it and "Hongkongers are the glory of Hong Kong."

Jimmy Sham also apologised to Helena Wong Pik-wan, stating he feels sorry for The Democratic Party, and they hugged each other outside the police station.

Source: InMedia HK #Feb28
#MassArrest #Regime #Authoritarianism #PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution #JimmySham

#Court #NationalSecurityLaw
Hong Kong Police Bar Arrested Pro-democracy Activist From Meeting Their Lawyers Before Court Hearing

On March 1, 2021, 47 pro-democracy activists and politicians, who were charged with inciting subversion under the National Security Law was mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrate Court at 11 am.

The defendants were detained overnight in the police station and sent to court under escort at around 9 am. The defendants’ finally got to meet their lawyers at the detention room in the court. The trial started at around 1 pm.

The live broadcast arranged by the court was, however, not clear. Journalists couldn’t identify who attend the hearing and who were absent from the screen.

The live streaming of the court failed to capture all the defendants. Some faces cannot shown. From the screen, at least ten police officers were standing in front of the defendants.

In the court, some defendants made requests. However, no one could hear them in the live broadcast and could not identify which ones of them were involved.

A male voice among the defendants shouted, “I just want to pass an instruction to my lawyer. Why is it not allowed?”.

A female voice which resemember former reporter Gwyneth HO Kwai-lam shouted, “I want to meet my lawyer! I am not allowed to meet my lawyer before the hearing. That’s what I know only.”

Source: Apple News #Mar1

https://bit.ly/37SD5jW

#PoliceState #Lawyer #HumanitarianCrisis #PoliticalPersecution #PrimaryElection

#Court #NeverGiveUp
Pro-democracy #Hongkongers in #Solidarity: "Hongkongers Fight On!"

At 1pm on March 1, 2021, pro-democracy Hongkongers continued to rally outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, where 47 pro-democracy activists were mentioned in court for the charge of "conspiracy to commit subversion", despite police intimidation.

After learning that the court session would resume at 15:30, citizens on site chanted "Heung Gong Yan Gar Yau!" in Cantonese, meaning "Hongkongers, fight on!"

Source: Joshua Kwan / USP #Mar1

#PoliticalPersecution #47Democrats #PoliticalOppression #HongKongProtests

#AsiasFinest #Court
Hong Kong Police's case charge found in disarray again

Numerous mistakes, as obvious as the defendant’s professions, have been found in Hong Kong Police’s case charge presented to the court on March 1, 2021 against the 47 pro-democracy activists.

For instance, the profession of Sze Tak Loy, District Councilor of Wong Tai Shin district was marked “unemployed”; while former legislator Eddie Chu Hoi-dick was mistakenly marked as "Wong Tai Shin District Councilor".

What’s more, Sai Kung District Councilor, Gary Fan Kwok-wai’s occupation was marked “Social Worker” while renowned social worker, Hendick Lui Chi Hang was marked "Sai Kung District Councilor" for his profession.

On March 1, 2021, 47 pro-democracy activists and politicians, who were charged with inciting subversion under the National Security Law was mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrate Court.

Source: InMedia #Mar1
https://bit.ly/3kFl6CU

=====
On the same day:

Determined and Unafraid: Pro-democracy Hongkongers in Solidarity Rally Outside of the Court
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28844

Hong Kong Police Bar Arrested Pro-democracy Activist From Meeting Their Lawyers Before Court Hearing
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28847

#47Democrats #PoliticalPersecution #FailedState

#FirstHand #Mar1 #GoHKInterview
Pro-democracy Activist #FigoChan: I Am Sure We Won't Give Up

Watch Video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28860

Figo Chan (陳皓桓), activist and convener of the organization Civil Human Rights Front (#CHRF), spoke to our reporter on March 1, 2021 outside West Kowloon magistrates court regarding the hearing of 47 pro-democracy candidates.

The group was charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" under the #NationalSecurityLaw. The court is currently in session and Figo Chan believes that “it will take a long time since there are quite a number of accused, if each of their lawyers shall speak, it will definitely take until the afternoon.”

Chan said that “I am sure the supporters who are queueing in front of the court right now and those who are not here at the moment will not give up. I hope that we will all continue to persist and speak out."

He added, "Even though the government has restricted us from going on protests and rallies, we still found a way to queue up and vocally support those inside; the government has stopped us from voting, yet we found a way to “vote” with our presence by coming out here.”

“I believe those in court, in jail and those who might be charged and sentenced in the future will persist, so we shouldn’t give up on hope, I am sure it will be okay if we all stand strong on what we believe.”

When asked about his thoughts on whether the accused may be granted bail, Chan replied saying that “I really don’t know how to evaluate the situation right now since Hong Kong has become so absurd. Even organizing an unofficial primary poll can be considered to be a conspiracy to commit subversion, and it seems that the chances of them being granted bail are slim."

"I know that the world can get more and more absurd each day , but as long as we, the people, remain logical and stand strong on what we believe is right, I think it will be okay.”

Chan was also asked whether he has anything he would like to say to Hong Kong supporters overseas. “I know that the Hong Kong citizens who have moved abroad and the overseas supporters must be feeling very powerless and hopeless right now. They must be sad because of how their home has become."

"But I want to emphasize that there are still a lot of people in Hong Kong who are still persisting on, many of us who are still here haven't given up yet. It doesn’t matter where you are, as long as we all continue to speak out for freedom and democracy, we will be able to get the democracy we fight for."

"If we can speak out for the citizens in Myanmar, in turn, those in other countries can definitely support those in Hong Kong. So I believe we must all stand strong, persist, and never give up,” said Figo Chan.

Source: First Hand

====
More first-hand interview of the day:

"Jail First, Trial Later": Ex-Lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan in Hong Kong Blasts National Security Trial for Lack of Due Process

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28864


#Interview #Court #PoliticalPersecution #NeverGiveUp #HongkongersVoices #StandWithHongKong #StandwithMyanmar
#FightforFreedom

#FirstHand #GoHKInterview #Mar1
"Jail First, Trial Later": Ex-Lawmaker in Hong Kong Blasts National Security Trial for Lack of Due Process

1800 | West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts

Watch video:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28863

On the early evening of March 1, 2021, former lawmaker #LeeCheukYan talked to reporters outside the court, as he was waiting for the updates on the court hearing of the 47 pro-democracy activists on trial under the #NationalSecurityLaw, along with many supporters at the scene.

It was revealed in the day's court proceedings that the prosecution had not yet finished their investigations, even though the case is already being brought to court.

Lee criticized the lack of due process under the draconian law, and called the government's tactics "dirty and self-contradicting".

"The authorities clumsily arrest all these people before they got their evidence together. Now that they're not ready for the trial, they wouldn't grant them bail. But this is how Hong Kong's law is like now," Lee said.

"The government is even wasting the judge's time," Lee added sympathetically, in reference to the prosecution asking to delay the case for another two months until May 2021.

"Worse yet, after all this charade, they might still not grant us bail. Then our defendants would end up jailed without trial for months," Lee pointed out.

When asked about the eight activists who were arrested together with the 47 but were not charged today, Lee says that the government's choice not to prosecute them seems intended to instigate divisions within the pro-democracy camp.

However, it only made their arrest even more ridiculous: "They don't even have evidence for the 47 they charged today, let alone the eight." Even so, Lee said, the government showed its intent to first keep the 47 pro-democracy activists and politicians behind bars for some time. "You simply don't know when they'll be free. The whole thing is ridiculous."

=====
More first-hand interviews from the same day:

Pro-democracy Activist #FigoChan: I Am Sure We Won't Give Up
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/28861

#Court #PoliticalPrisoners #PoliceState #47Democrats #PoliticalPersecution #Injustice #HumanitarianCrisis #RuleByLaw

#MassArrest #PoliticalPersecution
UK Foreign Minister Condemns Hong Kong Governments fot Persecuting Pro-democracy Activists

Foreign Minister of the United Kingdom #DominicRaab condemned the Hong Kong government for using the #NationalSecurityLaw to "eliminate political dissent".

Source: Dominic Raab's Twitter #Feb28
https://twitter.com/DominicRaab/status/1366047986191659011

#Court #PoliticalPersecution
Hong Kong Police Reportedly Arrest Lawyer Defending Pro-democracy Activists

2306 | West Kowloon Magistrates' Court

On March 1, 2021, 47 pro-democracy activists, who were charged with "conspiracy to state subversion", were mentioned in court in Hong Kong.

The trial continued after midnight, and at least 4 defendants collapsed and were sent to the hospital.

At 23:06 on Mar 1, lawyer Yau Lui-pong representing 9 pro-democracy defendents was taken away and reportedly arrested by the police for reason unknown.

Source: Stand News #Mar1
https://www.facebook.com/standnewshk/posts/3944689292283328

#Court #PoliceState
Hong Kong #ESports player acquitted from "conspiring to riot" worries the Authorities might lodge an appeal

Six Hongkongers were charged with "conspiring to riot" regarding a clash on Oct 1, 2019, which was the PRC's National Day.

On Feb 19, 2021, after more than one year since the accusation was made, all six accused were acquitted in court.

Outside the court, e-sports player Cheung Ho Fai, as one of the six accused, said he felt stressed and negative as the verdict was not announced until the lunar new year, and he only anticipated a fifty-fifty chance of winning.

Even though they were now acquitted, Cheung was still worried that the Department of Justice (#DoJ) might file an appeal.

He also wished that he could suffer the stress for his girlfriend, who was also one of the accused, and believed every boyfriend would have thought the same.

As Cheung stepped out of the court, friends congratulated him and some said “Way to go!” “Now go back to E sports and win a champion!”

Before answering the reporters’ questions, Cheung wiped away the sweat on his face and forehead and said “I’m exhausted! It was so stressful!”.

Cheung initially expected to hear the verdict in about a week or a month since the trial was concluded back in December 2020. It turned out that the verdict was not announced until after the lunar new year. He said he wished the case could have ended earlier “It was such a long wait, it wore me down”.

One of the accused in this case was his girlfriend, So Mei Lei. Cheung said, the Anti-ELAB movement began soon after they met. “We got arrested about two, three months after we started dating”, therefore they did not have any future plans, “the only plan was to get ready for the trials”.

Source: Apple News #Feb19

https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20210219/WYCOLN4KSZHIVHKRFBHUPH3VFA/

#Acquitted #HongKongProtests #AntiElab #RiottingCharges #PoliticalPersecution