Pre-Trial Review for HK Alliance Leaders’ National Security Case Set for November

On August 11, 2025, the High Court in Hong Kong conducted the second pre-trial review for a high-profile case involving the now-dissolved Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HK Alliance) and its former leaders—Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho, and Chow Hang-tung. The trio, along with the organization itself, face a single charge of inciting subversion of state power under the Hong Kong National Security Law, with the alleged offenses spanning from July 1, 2020, to September 8, 2021. The case, which has drawn significant attention, is scheduled for trial at the West Kowloon Court starting November 11, with a projected duration of 75 days.

The hearing, presided over by Justices Johnson Lam, Alex Lee, and Esther Toh, revealed a notable development: Albert Ho, a 72-year-old lawyer and former vice-chairman, intends to plead guilty. His legal team confirmed that they notified the prosecution on August 4, receiving the case details, and submitted a revised version on August 8. The defense expressed optimism that an agreed statement of facts could be finalized before the trial, reducing the likelihood of a Newton hearing—a procedure to resolve disputed facts after a guilty plea. Justice Lee, who also oversees the Jimmy Lai national security case, directed the prosecution, led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Winnie Kwok, to provide weekly summaries of evidence, detailing witness statements and reviewed documents without commentary, allowing the defendants to review and suggest amendments.

The case centers on allegations that the defendants incited others to organize, plan, or participate in activities aimed at subverting the state through illegal means, specifically targeting the fundamental system established by the People’s Republic of China Constitution or its central and regional authorities. Lee Cheuk-yan, 67, a union organizer and former chairman, and Chow Hang-tung, a 39-year-old barrister, continue to face the charges alongside Ho. Chow, who remains unrepresented by separate counsel, has a motion to dismiss the indictment scheduled for November 3, which will be addressed before the trial commences.

The court’s decision to hold the trial at West Kowloon Court reflects the case’s complexity, with preparations including the potential for Chow to call expert witnesses. If Ho’s guilty plea and agreed facts are not resolved, a Newton hearing will be integrated into the November proceedings. The involvement of Justices Lam and Lee, both experienced in handling national security cases, underscores the case’s significance.

This development marks a critical juncture in the legal proceedings against the HK Alliance leadership, with Ho’s potential guilty plea potentially influencing the trial’s trajectory. As the November date approaches, all eyes will be on the court’s handling of this landmark case under the National Security Law.