Latest news with #Magistrates'Courts
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Appeal for 12 Hong Kong activists concludes amid unfair trial claims
Police officers stand guard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, ahead of hearing appeals from 12 jailed pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, China, July 14, 2025. HONG KONG - An appeal hearing for 12 pro-democracy activists convicted of subversion under Hong Kong's national security law ended earlier than expected on July 17, with two defence lawyers arguing that their clients had not received a fair trial. The appeal stems from the "47 democrats" case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion in 2021. Forty five of the defendants were jailed last year for holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020, soon after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in response to pro-democracy protests the year before. Their sentences ranged between four to 10 years. Two were acquitted, while 12 appealed the conviction on July 14. Judge Jeremy Poon said on July 17 that the judgment would be made within nine months given the case's complexity. After that, it would still be possible to seek an appeal to Hong Kong's highest court. Government prosecutor Andy Lo said on July 17 that the case involved "an unprecedented conspiracy". Erik Shum, representing former lawmakers Helena Wong and Lam Cheuk-ting, said "the court sentencing process was wrong in principle, and hence the ultimate sentence was incorrect and it should be toned down". Wong was sentenced to 6 years and 6 months while Lam was sentenced to 6 years and nine months. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Fatal abuse of Myanmar maid in Bishan: Traffic Police officer sentenced to 10 years' jail Singapore Man charged over manufacturing DIY Kpods at Yishun home; first such case in Singapore Singapore HSA launches anti-vaping checks near 5 institutes of higher learning Singapore $7,000 fine for eatery chain involved in ByteDance food poisoning case Singapore Bicycle wheel-inspired care model used to improve trauma outcomes in central S'pore Life 11 new entries on Singapore's Bib Gourmand list, including three re-entries at Old Airport Road Singapore NEA monitoring E. coli at Sentosa beaches after elevated bacteria levels delay World Aquatics events Singapore 15 under police probe for sharing Singpass credentials used in scams During the four-day hearing, two defence lawyers argued on July 16 that the three judges who presided over the earlier trial had frequently interrupted some defendants during cross-examination. "The trial court was interventionist from very early on," said Robert Pang, a lawyer for unionist Winnie Yu. He said that the court repeatedly disallowed questions on grounds of irrelevance. Lawyer Steven Kwan said his client, activist Owen Chow did not receive a fair trial as "his evidence was disbelieved very early on". He also said the judges posed 45 per cent of all the questions put to Chow, who was later sentenced to 7 years and 9 months. Prosecutor Derek Lau said judges had the right to ask questions, noting it was not a jury trial. "There is no unfairness that can be observed, that is to the prejudice of the defender in these questions," Mr Lau said. Prosecutors had said the defendants sought to paralyse the government and force the city's leader to resign by securing a legislative majority to indiscriminately veto budget proposals. Under Article 52 of Hong Kong's mini-constitution, the Basic Law, the chief executive must step down if the legislature twice rejects the government's budget. Lawyer Trevor Beel, representing activist Gwyneth Ho, said on July 16 that legislators had a duty to use whatever legitimate means to negotiate with the government and that the Basic Law allows for a budget not to be passed. Hong Kong was handed back to China by Britain in 1997 with a promise of freedom and autonomy under the "one country, two systems" framework, and eventual universal suffrage under the Basic Law. If Ms Ho wanted to achieve dual universal suffrage and an effective legislature, then it "was not radical, and this is not against the principle of one country, two systems," Beel said. REUTERS
Asahi Shimbun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Twelve Hong Kong activists appeal convictions in landmark ‘47 democrats' case
Police officers stand guard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, ahead of hearing appeals from 13 jailed pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong on July 14. (REUTERS) HONG KONG--Twelve Hong Kong pro-democracy activists appealed their subversion convictions and jail terms on Monday in a national security case that has spotlighted Beijing's ongoing crackdown on dissent and drawn international criticism. The appeal stems from the '47 democrats' case, named for the number of activists who were arrested and charged with 'conspiracy to commit subversion' in early 2021. The court eventually found 45 of the defendants guilty of organising and holding an unofficial primary election in July 2020 after massive pro-democracy protests brought the city to a standstill. Prosecutors considered the action to be a 'plot' to undermine the Hong Kong government. Security was tight around the West Kowloon law courts building as scores of police officers, some with police dogs, patrolled the area and occasionally searched passers-by. 'I want to see all of them,' said an elderly man surnamed Wong who was among around 100 people queuing to get a public ticket for the hearing. 'They're not criminals.' Foreign diplomats from over half a dozen countries were in attendance for this latest stage of the legal saga that began with dawn police raids on the homes of high-profile democrats in early 2021. Some countries such as the United States have condemned the case as 'politically motivated' and are calling for the immediate release of the democrats who were sentenced last November to prison terms of up to ten years. Hong Kong and Chinese authorities, however, have defended the independence of the judiciary and say no one is above the law and the democrats have received a fair trial. Of the 16 democrats who pleaded not guilty during the trial, 11 have decided to appeal, including Gordon Ng, Gwyneth Ho and Owen Chow, who were all jailed for over seven years. Another democrat, Prince Wong, who pleaded guilty, is appealing her sentence. One defendant, Michael Pang, decided to withdraw his application on Monday. The appeals are expected to take around 10 days and will also include a government appeal against the acquittal of one of the democrats, barrister Lawrence Lau. A years-long crackdown under a China-imposed national security law has resulted in arrests, the closures of liberal media outlets and civil society groups. The last two remaining pro-democracy parties, the Democratic Party and the League of Social Democrats, disbanded this year citing growing pressures. The case is one of the most prominent so far under a 2020 national security law that was imposed by China in response to mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Borneo Post
23-06-2025
- Borneo Post
Food export company fined RM21,000 for using banned sweeter in products
File photo for illustration purposes KUCHING (June 23): A food export company was today fined RM21,000 by the Magistrates' Courts here for seven offences under the Food Regulations 1985. Magistrates Ling Hui Chuan and Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan imposed the fines after the company's representative pleaded guilty to the charges in two separate courts. The accused was fined RM3,000 for each charge, amounting to a total fine of RM21,000, by the Magistrates' Court. According to the facts of the case, samples of the preserved food products from the company were collected and sent for analysis on Nov 29, 2024. The analysis revealed that the samples contained cyclamate, a non-nutritive sweetener prohibited in food under Regulation 133(3) of the Food Regulations 1985. This regulation states that no person shall import, prepare, advertise for sale, or sell any food to which a non-nutritive sweetener has been added, except as otherwise permitted by the same regulation. Prosecuting Officer Mohd Fairos Ibrahim, from the Inspectorate and Legal Unit of the Kuching Divisional Health Office, informed the court during proceedings that cyclamate is an artificial sweetener commonly used in low-calorie food and beverages as a sugar substitute. 'Its sweetness is 30 to 50 times greater than sugar, making it a popular choice in products such as soft drinks, sweets, and sugar-free sweetened foods. 'The use of cyclamate in food is strictly regulated and is not permitted in fresh fruit, including peeled or ready-to-eat fruit. Long-term excessive consumption may pose health risks and is associated with an increased risk of cancer,' he said. The prosecution requested that the accused be given an appropriate sentence as a deterrent. In addition, the sentence is intended to serve as a warning not only to the accused but also to other importers, reminding them to exercise caution when importing food into Malaysia and to take necessary steps before allowing samples to enter the country. Court crime food exporter food products
HKFP
13-06-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Nat. security case of wanted Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok's father adjourned until August
The case of wanted Hong Kong activist Anna Kwok's father, who stands accused of attempting to handle his daughter's funds, has been adjourned until August, pending the submission of insurance documents to the police. Kwok Yin-sang, 68, appeared before Chief Magistrate Victor So at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Friday afternoon for a mention of his case under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. He is the first person charged with 'attempting to deal with, directly or indirectly, any funds or other financial assets or economic resources belonging to, or owned or controlled by, a relevant absconder,' under the city's homegrown security law, also known as Article 23. He is also the first family member of a wanted activist to be prosecuted by Hong Kong authorities. The prosecution applied for an adjournment on Friday, citing that the insurance company involved in the case would need more time to prepare and submit relevant documents to the police. The defence also informed the court that they had requested witness statements from the police but had yet to receive them. The magistrate adjourned the case to August 6 and instructed both parties to keep the court informed of any updates relating to the case. Kwok Yin-sang was allowed to remain on bail under the same conditions granted by the High Court last month. Prosecutors alleged that Kwok Yin-sang had attempted earlier this year to obtain funds from an AIA International life and personal accident insurance policy, with Anna Kwok, based in the US, listed as the insured person. The Hong Kong government barred anyone from dealing with Anna Kwok's assets in the city after Secretary for Security Chris Tang declared her an 'absconder,' along with six other exiled activists, in December. The 28-year-old is among the first group of eight overseas Hong Kong activists wanted by the city's national security police. She is accused of colluding with foreign forces and requesting foreign countries to impose sanctions on Hong Kong and China. Separate from the 2020 Beijing-enacted security law, the homegrown Safeguarding National Security Ordinance targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage. It allows for pre-charge detention of up to 16 days, and suspects' access to lawyers may be restricted, with penalties involving up to life in prison. Article 23 was shelved in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been fast-tracked and unanimously approved at the city's opposition-free legislature. The law has been criticised by rights NGOs, Western states and the UN as vague, broad and 'regressive.' Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to 'close loopholes' after the 2019 protests and unrest.
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Borneo Post
Unemployed Kuching woman jailed for shoplifting, drug abuse
The offences were framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a possible fine upon conviction. – Stock photo KUCHING (May 23): An unemployed woman was sentenced to a total of five months in jail by the Magistrates' Courts here today for committing theft at three clothing stores in a local mall. Nisha Lo Abdullah, 36, pleaded guilty to all three charges before Magistrates Mason Jaro Lenya Barayan and Syarifah Fatimah Azura Wan Ali in separate proceedings. For the first and second charges, she was sentenced to two months' imprisonment each, while the third charge carried a one-month sentence. All jail terms are to run concurrently from May 20, 2025. The offences were framed under Section 380 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a possible fine upon conviction. Nisha committed the thefts at three different clothing outlets in a mall along Jalan Simpang Tiga between 4.30pm and 6.30pm on May 20, 2025. According to case facts, she was arrested on the same day after store employees lodged separate police reports. Police recovered six pieces of clothing taken from the three outlets. CCTV footage from the stores captured Nisha placing the stolen items into her handbag without making any payment. In a separate proceeding, the Sessions Court sentenced Nisha to five years in prison after she pleaded guilty to habitual drug abuse. Judge Musli Ab Hamid also ordered her to undergo two years of supervision upon completion of her prison term. The drug offence was committed at the Kuching District Police Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department at 8pm on October 10, 2024. Nisha has three prior convictions under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, dating back to 2020, 2021, and 2023. The cases were prosecuted by ASP Arman Ibrahim and Insp Nur Ain Wong, while Nisha was unrepresented. drug abuse jail Kuching shoplifting theft
