Author: Jessie Pang and James Pomfret
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Fourteen Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were found guilty and two acquitted on Thursday in a landmark subversion trial that critics said could have consequences for the city’s rule of law and its actions. Another blow to the global financial center’s reputation.
The verdict in Hong Kong’s largest trial against pro-democracy opponents comes more than three years after police arrested 47 Democrats in dawn raids on homes across the city. They are accused of conspiring to subvert state power under China’s national security law.
Those found guilty will be sentenced later, with sentences ranging from three years to life in prison. Thirty-one defendants have pleaded guilty, four of whom have become prosecution witnesses.
The United States and some other countries criticized the trial as politically motivated and called for the defendants’ immediate release. Diplomats from the United States, the European Union and many other countries attended the hearing.
Security was tight around the high court, with several foreign diplomats present. Dozens of police officers and vehicles patrolled the area. Some supporters lined up overnight to secure seats.
A 35-year-old Mr. Zhao, who only gave his surname, said, “I came because this is a critical stage and historic moment for Hong Kong,” and he started waiting at midnight. The defendants “all stood up for themselves and for the people of Hong Kong who want to make a difference.”
The defendants are accused of carrying out a “malicious conspiracy” aimed at paralyzing the government of the former British colony and forcing the city’s leader to resign in a preselection vote in July 2020 citywide elections. Democrats insist it is an unofficial attempt to field the strongest candidate to win a historic majority in Hong Kong’s legislature.
Summing up their judgment, Justices Andrew Chan, Lee Lee and John Chan wrote that if the defendants succeeded, it would create a “constitutional crisis in Hong Kong” and lead to “serious interference with, disruption or disruption in the performance of duties and functions”. The Hong Kong) government acts in accordance with the law.
Several defendants, including activists Owen Chow and Gwyneth Ho, looked expressionless in the dock as the verdict was delivered to the packed courtroom.
Those convicted also include former pro-democracy MPs Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting and Helen Wong. It was unclear whether anyone would appeal and the court adjourned until the afternoon session.
“Ruthless Illustrations”
Liang, 68, is the oldest defendant.
Leung’s wife, Chen Baoying, told Reuters, “Although he may not be in a good mood and has not adapted to prison life… he always told me that he was innocent.”
Barrister Liu Zunyi and social worker Li Yushun were acquitted.
“There are other defendants in this case who deserve our care and even love,” Liu said outside the court. He told reporters he could not reveal much more given that prosecutors may appeal his acquittal.
Hong Kong saw massive pro-democracy protests in 2019 against Beijing’s planned legislation that Democrats said infringed on the freedoms guaranteed when the city returned to China in 1997.
Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020, leading to the arrests of numerous pro-democracy activists and the shutdown of liberal media and non-governmental organizations. For decades, Hong Kong’s pro-democracy opposition has sought to pressure Beijing to allow full democracy in the city.
The once lively street marches, demonstrations and vigils have largely ground to a halt amid tense policing.
“This unprecedented mass conviction is the most callous example yet of how Hong Kong’s national security law is being used as a weapon to silence dissent,” Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China director, said in a statement. This represents a near-total purge of political opposition.”
Beijing says the national security law has brought stability to Hong Kong and that human rights are respected.
Most of the defendants have been in custody since February 28, 2021, and have endured marathon bail hearings.
Those who have pleaded guilty include former legal scholar Tai Yiu-ting, whom prosecutors described as the “mastermind” of the conspiracy, and activist Joshua Wong.
