National security law suspect Andy Li makes first appearance in Hong Kong court following his return from mainland China
- Li is facing charges of colluding with foreign forces, conspiracy to assist offenders and possession of ammunition without a licence
- He was among the 12 local fugitives intercepted at sea by the Chinese coastguard during a failed escape bid last year
Activist Andy Li Yu-hin made his first court appearance to face national security and other criminal charges on Wednesday, two weeks after he was sent back to Hong Kong from mainland China where he served a jail term for illegally crossing the border while attempting to flee to Taiwan.
The 30-year-old fugitive was remanded in custody after he was brought to West Kowloon Court under tight security, escorted by a fleet of police motorcycles and guarded by nearly 200 officers, many of them armed with submachine guns and shotguns.
In addition to charges of conspiracy to assist offenders stemming from his attempt to flee the city by boat with 11 others in August, he is accused of conspiracy to commit collusion with foreign forces under the national security law and possession of ammunition without a licence.
Clad in a white shirt and holding a stack of documents to his chest, Li occasionally looked from the dock to the full public gallery, with a spectator waving to him at one point.
His only statement was affirming that he understood the charges after they were read out, and he did not seek bail or ask to return to court in eight days to review that decision.
Prosecutor Vincent Lee informed the court the Department of Justice had chosen the High Court as the venue for the trial.
Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak, one of a handful of jurists selected by the city’s leader to handle national security cases, adjourned the hearing to May 18 when Li will appear before the same court one last time to formalise the transfer of his trial.