Annie Ooi (better known as Auntie Bersih), 69, was among 18 activists ordered by Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today to enter their defence on charges of illegal assembly.

Also to enter their defence but on rioting charges are student activist Adam Adli and former PKR Rembau division chief Badrul Hisham Shaharin also known as Chegubard.

The order comes more than two years after 33 activists faced a combination of charges under Section 143 and Section 147 of a Penal Code in July 2013.

Section 143 concerns being a member of an unlawful assembly which provides for imprisonment of up to six months or a fine or both while Section 147 covers rioting and provides for a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both.

Of the 33 activists charged with illegal assembly, 18 were ordered to enter defence today while 15 others were discharged.

As for the charge of rioting, 10, including Adam and Badrul Hisham were ordered to enter their defence while the rest were freed.

Sessions Court judge Abdul Rashid Daud set Jan 22 next year for hearing for those who have to enter their defence.

The 33, aged etween 19 and 74 years, had earlier camped at Padang Merbok after the Blackout 505 rally finale on June 22. The rally was held to protest alleged irregularities during the 13th general election.

All of the accused were charged with causing a public nuisance by assembling on the road leading to Parliament between 9.15am and 11.25am on June 24 and may face a prison term of up to six months and a fine or both if found guilty.

The 33 activists had camped at Padang Merbok on June 22 as part of the Black 505 rally and later on June 24 proceeded to gather outside Parliament as MPs were being sworn in.

[More to follow]