Court approves last attempt by 11 jailed opposition figures to clear their names
Hong Kong court cites five legal issues deserving further scrutiny over appellants’ involvement in unofficial 2020 primary to take over legislature
A Hong Kong court has approved a final attempt by 11 jailed opposition politicians and activists to clear their names, following their convictions for conspiracy to commit subversion in a landmark national security trial.
Chief Judge of the High Court Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, appeal justice Derek Pang Wai-cheong and Judge William Tam Yiu-ho of the Court of First Instance acknowledged that the issues were of “great and general importance” because they concerned the boundary between criminal conduct and the exercise of a lawmaker’s constitutional duties, powers and functions.
“They merit the consideration by the Court of Final Appeal, in particular when it is the first occasion they are to be determined by our apex court,” the judgment read.
Despite the ruling, the Court of Final Appeal can still decide whether to permit the 11 appellants to advance their case before the top judges.