Hong Kong Alliance, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Chow Hang-tung are charged with “incitement to subvert state power” crime, and today (March 31), the trial entered its 22nd day at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts (acting as the High Court on an interim basis). The final defense witness, former core member of the Alliance, Albert Ho, appeared in court to testify. Throughout the hearing, the judge raised doubts multiple times about the relevance of the evidence, ultimately deciding to draw a line at 2018, prohibiting the defendants from asking about events before that year.
As the witness completed his testimony, the defense case wrapped up, and the court postponed the case to May 18 for closing arguments.
Albert Ho, 54, stated that he was moved by the Beijing student movement in May 1989, participated in two million-person marches, and witnessed the formal establishment of the Alliance on May 21 of that year. When Chow Hang-tung inquired about the witness’s awareness of the “June Fourth” incident at the time, Judge Li Yunteng immediately interjected, stating that the case is not about the “June Fourth” incident itself but whether the defendants violated the National Security Law, “the court will not allow you to use this opportunity for political propaganda.”
During questioning, Chow Hang-tung used the term “June Fourth Massacre,” which Judge Li deemed “inaccurate” and requested the use of “June Fourth Incident.” Chow Hang-tung questioned this, believing that the court should not determine word accuracy without factual evidence. After consultation, the judge ruled that questioning must focus on facts after the Chinese Communist Party’s constitutional amendment in 2018, and if testimony “crosses this line,” further questioning will not be allowed.
Concerning activities after 2018, Albert Ho stated that he served as a marshal at the June Fourth assembly, responsible for maintaining order and distributing leaflets. He described the coordination between the Alliance and the Hong Kong police in 2018 and 2019 as “peaceful,” with each side performing its duties, and the police willing to engage with them.
Regarding the Alliance’s “Five Requests,” Albert Ho likened it to the “Olympic rings,” describing how each request is interconnected and equally important but with an order of precedence. He explained that the Alliance always prioritizes “people first,” so the first request must be “release of pro-democracy activists,” followed by “vindication of the 1989 democracy movement,” “holding those responsible for the massacre accountable,” “ending one-party rule,” and “building a democratic China.”
Under prosecution questioning, Albert Ho firmly stated that the Alliance has “never given up on any of the requests,” including “ending one-party rule.”
With Albert Ho’s testimony concluded, the defense case came to an end. The prosecution was allowed to file written closing arguments on April 21, while Chow Hang-tung, needing time to prepare a handwritten version, was granted an extension until May 4 to submit it. The court is scheduled to hear oral closing arguments on May 18, expected to last three days. Case number: HCCC155/2022.