During the pre-trial review of the case, the six were charged with “failing to apply for registration or exemption from registration within the specified time under the Societies Ordinance” for the Fund from July 16, 2019, to October 31, 2021.

The six defendants who were arrested previously for offending Hong Kong National Security Law include retired cleric Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, veteran barrister Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, scholar Hui Po-keung, gay rights activist and pop singer Denise Ho Wan-see, former lawmaker Cyd Ho Sau-lan, as well as fund secretary Sze Ching-wee.

According to the defense attorney of the defendants, the point of the case lies in whether the 612 Fund should be categorized as a “society.”

“Since the prosecution considered the fund as an individual group,” argued the defense in the court, “A reason is needed for it, and the proof of the accusations of the defendants as the office-bearers of the society need to be provided as well.”

The defense also noted that the court should consider holding a second round of pre-trial review regarding the Summary of Facts presented by the prosecution.

However, there is no need for more pre-trials unless the prosecution and defense submit documents, according to Ada Yim Shun-yee, the magistrate of the case.

The case is scheduled to start on September 19 for a five-day trial, with a two-and-a-half-day period for closing submissions.

The 612 Fund was set up amid the social unrest in 2019 to provide financial aid to pro-democracy protesters and legal assistance to those who faced charges pressed by police and the Department of Justice.