A Hong Kong court has sentenced dozens of pro-democracy leaders to lengthy prison terms for subversion following a landmark trial under China’s controversial national security law (NSL).
Among the 47 activists and lawmakers prosecuted, Benny Tai received a 10-year sentence, and Joshua Wong was sentenced to over four years. The group had been involved in organizing unofficial primaries to select opposition candidates for local elections. Of the 47 defendants, 45 were convicted of conspiring to commit subversion, while two were acquitted earlier this year.
The trial, the largest under the sweeping NSL imposed by Beijing after Hong Kong’s 2019 pro-democracy protests, is seen as a pivotal moment in the erosion of the city’s freedoms. The law has been criticized for stifling dissent and dismantling the city’s pro-democracy movement.
The 2019 protests, initially sparked by a proposed extradition treaty with mainland China, evolved into a broader demand for democratic reforms. The sentencing has drawn international condemnation, with the U.S. calling the trial “politically motivated” and Australia expressing “grave concerns” over the sentencing of one of its citizens, Gordon Ng.
Emily Lau, former chair of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, described the chilling effect of the NSL: “We can’t even organize a dinner party for members and friends. That’s how stressful things are.” She emphasized, however, that the fight for democracy would continue “in a peaceful and legal way.”
The UK has also raised concerns, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer bringing up the case of Jimmy Lai, a jailed pro-democracy media tycoon on trial for treason, during a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit.
Beijing and Hong Kong authorities defend the NSL as essential for maintaining stability, asserting that the convictions serve as a deterrent against actions that threaten national security. “No one can engage in illegal activities in the name of democracy and attempt to escape justice,” China’s foreign ministry said, rejecting criticism from Western nations.
The case has captivated Hongkongers, with dozens queuing outside the courthouse days in advance to witness the sentencing, underscoring the trial’s significance in the city’s fraught political landscape.
