Ten members of the League of Social Democrats (LSD), one of Hong Kong’s last active pro-democracy groups, face a total of 26 charges for raising funds and displaying posters without a permit.
LSD chair Chan Po-ying and vice-chair Dickson Chau were among those who rallied outside the Eastern Law Court Building on Monday to protest the charges before entering the courthouse, local media reported.
Chan was charged with three counts of fundraising without a permit and displaying bills or posters without permission, while Chau faced two counts of unauthorised fundraising.
Eight other LSD members were accused of unauthorised banner displays and fundraising between April 2 and May 28, including volunteer and dentist Lee Ying-chi, who faces three counts of unauthorised fundraising.
Ex-legislator “the Bull” Tsang Kin-shing and vice-chair Yu Wai-pun were also among the LSD members who faced charges.
The cases have been adjourned to February 21 next year for hearing. The prosecution said it would issue Tsang with a summons after he did not appear in court on Monday.
According to case details read out in court, the defendants had raised funds without a permit on April 2 and May 28 on the pavement at the junction of Great George Street and East Point Road in Causeway Bay.
They were also accused of organising, participating in, or providing equipment for the collection of money in public without a permit from either the Director of Social Welfare or the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs outside Wan Chai MTR Station on April 30.
Chau was last month found guilty of violating the Covid mask mandate while rallying outside court in February as the city’s largest national security trial got underway. He was ordered to pay a fine of HK$10,500.
Earlier this June, HSBC closed three bank accounts used by the league for receiving donations, saying in a letter seen by HKFP that it had “taken into account multiple factors and conducted a comprehensive assessment” before shutting down the accounts.
PayPal Hong Kong halted services for LSD due to unspecified “excessive risks” last October. The payment platform never explained what the “excessive risks” were, according to the LSD.
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