Wan, 52, a host for online radio D100, faces four counts of acting with seditious intent against the central and Hong Kong governments, and five counts of money laundering, involving about HK$11 million.

Alice Lee Po-lai, assistant to Wan, also faced two counts of money laundering. The two are yet to take a plea. Lee has been released on bail.

Prosecution said the case involved the national security law and applied for the case to be handled by national security law-designated judges of the District Court.

Defense said they were informed of the arrangement only on Monday. As they need more time to examine 16 boxes of documents and to handle matters regarding the application for legal aid, they will notify the court and prosecution whether they oppose the arrangement in written reply within two weeks.

The court granted them permission to do so, and therefore adjourned the case to October 12.

Wan was accused of intending to "bring hatred or contempt, or excite disaffection" against the central and SAR governments, exciting discontent or disaffection among Hongkongers and suggesting disobedience of the law.

He allegedly committed the offenses when hosting his online radio shows on August 8, August 15, September 5 and October 10 last year.