A group of 15 opposition figureheads, including publisher Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, appeared in West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Monday for their roles in illegal protests last year.

They faced charges of participating in, organizing and inciting multiple illegal assemblies. Lai, 72, founder of Hong Kong-based newspaper Apple Daily, was charged with five counts of unauthorized assemblies. Former lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, 64, was charged with seven counts in all.

Lai, Lee Cheuk-yan, 63, and Yeung Sum, 72, were arrested on Feb 28 for violating Hong Kong's Public Order Ordinance by participating in an unauthorized assembly in Wan Chai and Central on Aug 31, 2019.

Lai and other 14 activists were arrested on April 18 on suspicion of organizing and participating in some unlawful assemblies on Aug 18, Sept 30, Oct 1, Oct 19, and Oct 20 last year.

Principal Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen fixed the next date for hearing on June 15. The defendants were granted bail of HK$1,000 each. Apparently, cases involving all 15 defendants will be transferred to District Court.