Trial starts in Hong Kong for Jimmy Lai and seven others

Media tycoon and prominent pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai will face trial in a Hong Kong court Monday.

He and seven others are accused of "incitement to knowingly take part in an unauthorized assembly" by participating in last year's unauthorized candlelight vigil to mark the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

Authorities banned the annual June 4 event for the first time in three decades in 2020, citing coronavirus concerns.

Two of the defendants Richard Tsoi and Leung Yiu-chung were seen at the court on Monday morning.

Lai and almost all the others have been remanded in custody.

The court has set an estimate of 10 days for the trial.

IMAGE: AP