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Ng in fight for papers taken in Stand News raid
Former Stand News director and barrister Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee has demanded police return documents belonging to her clients after they were seized as evidence during a raid on her Mid-Levels home last week.
Ng filed a writ with the high court on Tuesday that said police on December 29 searched her flat on Robinson Road with a court warrant issued by the West Kowloon magistrates' court under the national security law. Police Commissioner Raymond Siu Chak-yee was listed as the defendant.
Ng is seeking an order for the police to return or deliver parts of the seized materials from her home that are "subject to and protected by legal professional privilege."
The privilege is a principle in the profession that protects communications between lawyers, clients and third parties. Lawyers and their clients are entitled to withhold inspection of these communications from another party, or even from the court.
Seized materials that are "not within the power or scope of seizure" under the warrant should be returned to Ng too, the writ said.
She is also seeking an injunction to restrain the defendant - or his subordinates - from accessing, reviewing or making any use of parts of the seized materials.
Ng also wants an assessment of damages for the trespass to the impugned materials and is asking for compensation if necessary.
The 73-year-old Ng, a former Civic Party lawmaker, is among seven past and present Stand News executives arrested on December 29 for publishing seditious content on the pro-democracy online media outlet. Stand News announced its closure later that day.
That morning, more than 200 police officers raided the homes of the people arrested and Stand News' office in Kwun Tong.
The arrested Stand News executives include former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam Shiu-tung. They were charged with conspiracy to publish seditious content and will remain in custody until the next court mention on February 25.
Also arrested were three other former directors - singer Denise Ho Wan-see, former science page editor Chow Tat-chi and former chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Christine Fang Meng-sang.
The five and Ng were released on HK$200,000 cash bail last Thursday.
The seventh arrested was Chung's wife, Chan Pui-man, former associate publisher of the defunct Apple Daily.
Ng is seeking an order for the police to return or deliver parts of the seized materials from her home that are "subject to and protected by legal professional privilege."
The privilege is a principle in the profession that protects communications between lawyers, clients and third parties. Lawyers and their clients are entitled to withhold inspection of these communications from another party, or even from the court.
Seized materials that are "not within the power or scope of seizure" under the warrant should be returned to Ng too, the writ said.
She is also seeking an injunction to restrain the defendant - or his subordinates - from accessing, reviewing or making any use of parts of the seized materials.
Ng also wants an assessment of damages for the trespass to the impugned materials and is asking for compensation if necessary.
The 73-year-old Ng, a former Civic Party lawmaker, is among seven past and present Stand News executives arrested on December 29 for publishing seditious content on the pro-democracy online media outlet. Stand News announced its closure later that day.
That morning, more than 200 police officers raided the homes of the people arrested and Stand News' office in Kwun Tong.
The arrested Stand News executives include former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam Shiu-tung. They were charged with conspiracy to publish seditious content and will remain in custody until the next court mention on February 25.
Also arrested were three other former directors - singer Denise Ho Wan-see, former science page editor Chow Tat-chi and former chief executive of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Christine Fang Meng-sang.
The five and Ng were released on HK$200,000 cash bail last Thursday.
The seventh arrested was Chung's wife, Chan Pui-man, former associate publisher of the defunct Apple Daily.
