612 Fund involved unregistered Chen Rijun and other 6 people pleaded not guilty, the prosecution said that 270 million was deposited into the account

Retired Catholic Cardinal Chen Rijun, artist Ho Yunshi, and other 6 people related to the 612 Humanitarian Support Fund, involved in the case of failing to apply for registration or exemption from registration within the specified time limit, the trial will be held in the West Kowloon Court today (26th).

The prosecution case alleges that the 612 Fund was not registered during the two years from its establishment to its dissolution.

In addition, during this period, a total of about 270 million yuan was deposited into the relevant accounts.

The fund once subsidized the cost of audio equipment during the FDC march, and also subsidized organizations such as the Taiwan Civil Justice Reform Foundation and the New Hong Kong Cultural Association.

6 defendants charged with breaching the Societies Ordinance

Six defendants: Chen Rijun, Wu Aiyi, Xu Baoqiang, He Xiulan, He Yunshi, Shi Chengwei, the first five defendants are the trustees of the fund, and the sixth defendant is the secretary of the fund.

The six were each charged with one count of summons for "failure to apply for registration or exemption from registration as a society within the specified time limit", alleging that they were in Hong Kong from July 16, 2019 to October 31, 2021 as a "612 Humanitarian Support Fund". ”, failed to comply with section 5(1) of the Societies Ordinance, Chapter 151 of the Laws of Hong Kong, within the specified time limit.

Six defendants appear in court today.

(See the picture below for details)

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Fund emerges shortly after anti-amendment protests

The prosecution's opening statement stated that in June 2019, there were demonstrations against the amendment to the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance, and some demonstrators were arrested.

On the 15th of the same month, the "Humanitarian Support Fund for the Wounded and Arrested During the Anti-Extradition Movement" was established, and the second to fifth defendants held a press conference.

Fund used to support those who have been violently repressed

On July 6 of the same year, the first four defendants held a press conference as trustees and changed the name of the fund to "612 Humanitarian Support Fund", which mentioned that the fund was established to support those who were violently suppressed.

The second defendant mentioned at the press conference that the fund borrowed the account of True Universal Suffrage Alliance Limited to collect donations, and the funds would fund investigations.

There are street stands and online promotions

The fund collects funds through various methods. The prosecution court broadcasts clips of the first, second and fifth defendants at the Pai Street Station in Wan Chai during the march on January 1, 2020.

In addition, the Fund will also promote its work through its website and Facebook page, and will also produce work reports.

As of August 18, 2021, the fund announced that it will cease operations.

The prosecution alleges that until October 31 of the same year, the fund was dissolved and the fund was not registered.

The 612 Fund has been in operation for about two years before it ceased operations.

(See the picture below for details)

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The prosecution alleges that the first five defendants participated in the operation of the fund

The prosecution also pointed out that the first five defendants signed a trust deed in a law firm on June 28, 2019, as trustees of the fund.

They are also involved in the operation of the fund and have attended numerous meetings of the trustees of the fund, including discussions on large grants.

Account fixed deposit of about 270 million

The case also mentioned the financial situation of the fund, referring to 103,000 deposits, involving about 270 million yuan, and 7,600 withdrawals, involving 260 million yuan, between June 2019 and October 2021.

The fixed deposit in the account is about 270 million yuan, and the account balance is 70 million yuan.

Tseng helped the FDC to buy audio equipment

In addition, the fund has also subsidized a number of organizations, including 218,000 yuan for audio equipment that once subsidized the FDC 616 parade.

When the Hong Kong tertiary and academic international affairs delegation went to London and Geneva to lobby, the fund subsidized a 5,000-yuan transportation and meal allowance.

The fund has also subsidized the Taiwan Civil Judicial Reform Foundation and the New Hong Kong Cultural Association, with RMB 3.76 million and RMB 200,000 respectively.

The defense complained that the prosecution's statement was politically motivated

In addition, before the prosecution read the opening statement, the lawyer representing the second defendant pointed out that the prosecution's opening statement mentioned "political purposes", "political demands", and "walking with the protesters", and believed that such statements did not inappropriate.

The chief magistrate, Yan Shunyi, responded that the dispute in this case is whether there is a "society" that has been organized and registered or applied for exemption from registration one month after the organization, rather than dealing with the right or wrong of these political purposes and demands, and that "political" can be is neutral.

Case No.: WKS 4829-4834/2022

The 612 Fund involved unregistered defense will argue whether it is an association. The lawyer will make a statement in English. Social 612 Fund｜The Bar Association sent a letter asking barristers to explain why the regulation of online crowdfunding was actually delayed by the government for many years. 612 Fund involved unregistered Chen Rijun and other 6 people who pleaded not guilty and disputed whether it was an association. Fund Case｜Wu Aiyi filed a lawsuit with the High Court to urge the police to return the information protected by the legal right of confidentiality