Albert Ho Chun-yan, former lawmaker and deputy head of a dissolved political organization, pleaded guilty to the charge of inciting subversion of State power in court on Thursday, while three other defendants in the case pleaded not guilty to the same charge.
The defendants are the now disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and three senior members of the alliance. The alliance, its former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and former vice-chairperson Tonyee Chow Hang-tung pleaded not guilty to the charge.
They were accused of inciting others to subvert State power — an offense under the Hong Kong SAR National Security Law (NSL) — between July 1, 2020, and Sep 8, 2021.
The prosecution said in court that the Alliance, during the stated period, allegedly incited others to organize, plan, carry out or participate in the implementation of illegal acts that aimed to overthrow State power.
Ho consistently participated in, supported and advocated for the Alliance and its propositions even after the implementation of the NSL on June 30, 2020, the prosecution said.
Ho continued to serve as a director, a member of the standing committee and a vice-chairman of the Alliance, the prosecution added.
The case is being heard by three judges appointed under the NSL — Alex Lee Wan-tang, Johnny Chan Jong-herng, and Anna Lai Yuen-kee — and the trial is expected to take 75 days.
People who organize, plan, commit or participate in acts by force or threat of force or other unlawful means with a view to subverting State power could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, according to the NSL.
