Martin Lee and Albert Ho outside of court ahead of the verdi

[Beauty Sirikarn]

The seven are accused of participating in an unauthorised assembly on 12 and 18 August 2019, when Hong Kong was embroiled in months of anti-government protests.

They include Martin Lee, an 82-year-old barrister who is known as the "father of Hong Kong democracy", and Leung Kwok-hung, an activist known by his moniker "Long Hair".

The defence team say that freedom of assembly is protected under Hong Kong's constitution, and that authorities had approved a demonstration which then grew into the unauthorised march.

The prosecution argued that freedom of assembly - while granted in the constitution - was not absolute in Hong Kong.

During the handing down of the verdict on Thursday, a small group of supporters had gathered outside the court with banners calling the trial "Political Persecution".

Who is Jimmy Lai?
Mr Lai is one of the most prominent supporters of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement - and faces separate charges under Beijing's national security law.

Estimated to be worth more than $1bn (£766m), he made his initial fortune in the clothing industry and later ventured into media and founded Next Digital.

Next Digital publishes Apple Daily, a well-read tabloid which is frequently critical of Hong Kong and mainland Chinese leadership.

Hong Kong's rebel mogul and pro-democracy voice pg slot
HK tycoon Jimmy Lai denied bail under security law
In a local media landscape increasingly fearful of Beijing, Mr Lai is a persistent thorn for China - both through his publications and writing.
_________________
Beauty Sirikarn