Fourteen pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were found guilty on Thursday in a landmark subversion trial, with two acquitted. This trial is the largest against the democratic opposition in the city and has drawn criticism for potentially undermining Hong Kong’s rule of law and its status as a global financial hub.
Background of the trial
The verdicts come over three years after the police arrested 47 democrats in dawn raids across the city. These individuals were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a national security law imposed by China. Sentencing will be determined later, with potential prison terms ranging from three years to life. Of the 47, thirty-one defendants had already pleaded guilty, with four turning into prosecution witnesses.
The trial has been criticized by the U.S. and other countries as politically motivated. They have called for the immediate release of the accused. Diplomats from several nations, including the U.S. and the European Union, attended the hearings. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed strong objections to the broad application of national security legislation and conveyed deep concern over the verdicts, specifically mentioning Australian citizen Gordon Ng, one of those convicted.
Security was heightened around the High Court, with scores of police officers and vehicles patrolling the area. Some supporters queued overnight to secure a spot in the courtroom. One supporter, Chiu, highlighted the significance of the trial for Hong Kong’s future.
Charges and defense
The defendants were accused of plotting to paralyze the government and force the city’s leader to resign through a pre-selection ballot for a 2020 citywide election. The democrats argued it was an unofficial attempt to select strong candidates for Hong Kong’s legislature. Judges Andrew Chan, Alex Lee, and Johnny Chan noted that the plot would have created a constitutional crisis for Hong Kong.
Several convicted defendants, including Owen Chow and Gwyneth Ho, remained stony-faced as the verdicts were read. Notable figures among the convicted include former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, and Helena Wong. Leung’s wife, Chan Po-ying, emphasized his innocence despite his emotional struggles.
Barrister Lawrence Lau and social worker Lee Yue-shun were acquitted, although the prosecution applied to appeal these acquittals. Lau expressed his concern for the remaining defendants and mentioned potential appeals.
Impact on Hong Kong’s democracy
The trial is seen as a significant blow to Hong Kong’s democratic movement. Amnesty International’s China director, Sarah Brooks, described the mass conviction as a ruthless illustration of how the national security law is used to silence dissent, representing a near-total purge of the political opposition. Despite Beijing’s claims that the law has brought stability and respected human rights, the democratic opposition in Hong Kong faces unprecedented challenges.