A Hong Kong court has thrown out a judicial challenge against the government’s approval of an environmental study of the San Tin Technopole project, after dismissing the applicant’s request to have another activist take over his case.
The High Court on Friday allowed social worker Eddie Tse Sai-kit to withdraw the challenge, but found insufficient basis for a former district councillor to carry on with the proceedings in his absence.
The judge also highlighted the main reason for Tse to withdraw his case was to avoid bearing the government’s legal expenses in the absence of legal aid should his bid fail.
“It is not acceptable, and it is deeply unattractive that persons pursuing legitimate legal rights in matters of public interest should ever be concerned that they or their families might face potential harassment and intimidation from faceless and nameless third parties hiding in the shadows,” Coleman wrote.
