29th May 2023 – (Hong Kong) Ventus Lau, along with local actor Gregory Wong and former Hong Kong University student union president Althea Suen Hiu-nam, and 10 others, are standing trial for their alleged involvement in the 2019 siege of the Legislative Council (LegCo) building. The group is facing charges of rioting and violating the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance. Seven of the accused have pleaded guilty to rioting charges, including Lau and Suen. Wong has denied the rioting charges but admitted to violating the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance.
The incident occurred on 1st July, 2019, during a protest against the now-withdrawn extradition bill. Protesters stormed and vandalized the LegCo building, causing significant damage to the premises. The siege marked a turning point in the pro-democracy movement and sparked a wave of protests across the city.
The trial is set to take place at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today.
Ventus Lau, a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong, pleaded guilty to violating the national security law in August 2022. Lau was among 53 members of the pro-democratic camp who were arrested on 6th January, 2021, under the national security law’s provision regarding alleged subversion. The group was accused of organising and participating in unofficial primary elections held by the camp in July 2020.
Lau was released on bail on 7th January, 2021, but was returned to prison in February of that year. He remained in custody until his recent plea in August 2022.