HONG KONG - Hong Kong's securities regulator started an insider dealing prosecution against hedge fund Segantii Capital Management, its founder and a former trader, the watchdog said on Thursday.

The Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) said it had started criminal proceedings against Segantii, its founder and chief investment officer Simon Sadler, and former trader Daniel La Rocca for insider dealing in the shares of a Hong Kong-listed company prior to a block trade in June 2017.

The two defendants appeared at Hong Kong's Eastern Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning, no plea was taken and the case was adjourned to June 12, SFC said in a statement

Segantii did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment and the two defendants could not be contacted.

Sadler, a British businessman, is also owner of his hometown soccer club, Blackpool Football Club.

ALSO READ: HK police, SFC form working group to probe crypto fraud

Established in 2007, Segantii is one of the oldest and biggest hedge funds in Asia. Its flagship Asia-Pacific Equity Multi-Strategy Fund was up 2.5 percent in the first quarter, after a 1.6 percent decline in 2023, according to a fund's monthly letter seen by Reuters.

The fund managed about $4.8 billion at the end of March, the letter said.

Segantii, one of Hong Kong's most high profile hedge funds, also has operations in London, New York and Dubai, according to its website.

The two defendants appeared at Hong Kong's Eastern Magistrates' Court on Thursday morning, no plea was taken and the case was adjourned to June 12, SFC said in a statement.

READ MORE: SFC, Asia regulators keep close watch as banking concerns mount

Sadler and La Rocca were released pending the next hearing under certain conditions, including cash bail of $1 million and $500,000 respectively, SFC added.