t
C D Powell Esq
10 Downing Street
London SW1A 2AA
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG: PROSECUTION OF LEADING LIBERALS
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Thank you for your letter of 2 July enclosing one
which the Prime Minister has received from the Rt Hon
Paddy Ashdown MP about the prosecution of certain leading liberals in Hong Kong. I enclose a draft reply, which has been prepared in consultation with the Hong Kong
Government.
The
The prosecutions consist of three separate cases
involving a total of seven people. The offences, which concern the unauthorised use of loudhailers and the unauthorised collection of money in public, were allegedly committed in the course of demonstrations which
took place in Hong Kong between January and March.
individuals concerned were summonsed under the relevant
provisions of the Summary Offences Ordinance. The first case has already been heard. It resulted in a conviction
(against which an appeal has been lodged) and fines
totalling HK$750 (about £55). The trial of the others
involved will take place from 13 July.
NOBAEF