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Hong Kong court upholds convictions of Cardinal Joseph Zen and others
A Hong Kong court has dismissed appeals from 94-year-old Roman Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen and four other pro-democracy activists, upholding their convictions for failing to register a relief fund.
The defendants—including singer Denise Ho, scholar Hui Po-keung, and former lawmakers Margaret Ng and Cyd Ho—were found guilty of breaching the Societies Ordinance. The court ruled that the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which provided legal and medical aid to protesters during the 2019 demonstrations, should have been registered as an association. The five trustees were each fined 4,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $512).
The defendants argued that the fund functioned as a foundation rather than an association. Following the dismissal of their appeals, the trustees indicated they intend to take the case to the Court of Final Appeal, noting that the ruling has significant implications for civil society and freedom of association in Hong Kong.
Entities
612 Humanitarian Relief Fund · Cyd Ho · Denise Ho · Denise Ho Wan-see · Hong Kong · Hui Po Keung · Joseph Zen · Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun · Margaret Ng · Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] A Hong Kong court dismissed appeals from Cardinal Joseph Zen and four other pro-democracy activists. www.bitno.net · www.ntd.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The defendants argued the fund was a foundation rather than an association requiring registration. www.bitno.net · religion.orf.at
- [● 2 SOURCES] The fund provided medical and legal assistance to protesters arrested during the 2019 demonstrations. religion.orf.at · www.ntd.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court upheld convictions for failing to register the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund as an association under the Societies Ordinance. www.bitno.net · religion.orf.at · www.ntd.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The trustees announced plans to take their case to the Court of Final Appeal. religion.orf.at
- [● 2 SOURCES] The five defendants were each fined 4,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $512). religion.orf.at · www.ntd.com