In a trial expected to last 20 days, three leaders of Hong Kong’s 2014 civil disobedience “Occupy” movement pleaded not guilty to public nuisance charges Monday.
Law professor Benny Tai, 54, sociology professor Chan Kin-man, 59, and retired pastor Chu Yiu-ming, 74, face three charges of conspiracy to commit public nuisance, incitement to commit public nuisance, and incitement to incite public nuisance, reports Reuters.
If convicted, the men could face up to seven years imprisonment for each charge.
In 2013, Tai, Chan and Chu began planning a civil disobedience campaign to occupy streets in the city’s central business district.
The “Occupy” campaign took hold in September 2014 and paralyzed parts of the city for nearly three months.