HONG KONG - The Security Bureau has called on members of the public not to participate in unauthorized assemblies after an appeal board endorsed a decision by the city’s police to ban two public gatherings on May 30 and June 4, respectively. 

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In a statement issued on Saturday, a spokesman for the bureau said “no one should take part in it, or advertise or publicize it, or else he or she may violate the law.”

According to the Public Order Ordinance, taking part in an unauthorized assembly is liable to a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment, while advertising or publicizing one is liable to a maximum penalty of 12 months' imprisonment.

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In addition, taking part in the events may be in breach of relevant offenses under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation, according to the spokesman.