On 21 March 2025, the Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal of Democratic Party Chairperson Law Kin-hee, who had previously been charged with participating in an unlawful assembly in support of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) protesters during the 2019 unrest. The court rejected an appeal by the Department of Justice, maintaining the original verdict issued in November 2022 by the District Court. Law was initially arrested in November 2019 near the Hong Kong Science Museum in Tsim Sha Tsui. He was accused of being involved in an unlawful assembly aimed at supporting the protesters at PolyU. Law denied the charges, and the District Court ruled that the evidence was insufficient to prove his intent to participate in the unauthorized gathering, leading to his acquittal. This decision is significant in the context of the Enabling Environment for Civil Society, as it underscores the ongoing legal battles faced by individuals involved in public demonstrations. The acquittal suggests that, despite significant state scrutiny, individuals can challenge unlawful assembly charges if the evidence fails to support claims of intent or participation.
This event is part of an existing pattern where individuals arrested during the 2019 protests have faced legal proceedings, with varying outcomes. Over the past year, there have been multiple cases where courts have acquitted defendants or dismissed charges related to the protests, indicating a judicial trend of scrutinising the evidence presented in such cases.