A Hong Kong court on Thursday began ruling on 47 people accused of conspiring to subvert state power. Many of them – politicians, academics and activists – have been detained for more than three years, awaiting verdicts.
The landmark case highlights the outsized influence of the national security law China imposed to tighten control over Hong Kong after massive anti-government protests in 2019.
CorbeneAged 59, he was a law professor at the University of Hong Kong.
Joshua Wong27, became a famous activist at 14.
Twelve are elected memberThey often use their presence in the legislature to protest China’s infringement of Hong Kong’s autonomy.
Mr Mok served in the Legislative Council for eight years and was known as “Auntie Mo”.
Leung Chun-ying is famous for his “long hair” and has been a mainstay of the opposition for nearly two decades.
Mr. Chan is the first openly gay legislator in Hong Kong.
Twenty-one was elected district officialsincluding young activists who voted in the months following the 2019 anti-government protests.
Cen is the leader of an activist group that organized massive pro-democracy rallies in 2019.
others are Outstanding activist They have worked for various social causes.
Wu was a flight attendant who later became a union leader.
Ms. He is a journalist who rose to fame in 2019 when she was herself beaten by mobs while live-streaming their attacks on protesters.
Huang is a student leader who began her activism in high school.
Prolonged detention without trial
In February 2021, the 47 defendants were charged with subversion for holding or participating in unofficial primaries to select opposition candidates for elections.
Unlike other types of crime, national security cases have high bail thresholds, effectively allowing authorities to lock up defendants for months or even years before trial. Critics say this amounts to a presumption of guilt.
At the pre-trial hearing, 16 people pleaded not guilty and 31 people pleaded guilty, including Tai Yaoting and Huang Zhifeng. Most, if not all, of the 47 are expected to receive prison sentences ranging from less than three years to life in prison.
The defendants and their lawyers are prohibited from commenting on the case. But legal experts say democracy supporters may face intense pressure to plead guilty due to lengthy detentions, dwindling financial resources and slim chances of winning in courts modeled on China’s authoritarian system.
“The process is designed to be as painful as possible,” said Samuel Bickett, a Washington, D.C., attorney and activist.
Changes in Hong Kong’s political landscape
Starting in June 2019, Hong Kong was engulfed in widespread protests demanding greater freedoms from China. Primaries were held and a few months later they were arrested.
Most of the 47 have since been jailed. Their arrests effectively silenced the city’s once-vociferous opposition. China has also overhauled Hong Kong’s electoral rules, effectively banning pro-democracy candidates from running for seats in the legislature.
Protests begin
Massive anti-government protests began and intensified within months.
National Security Law is promulgated
The new law prohibits vaguely defined crimes of secession, subversion and terrorism, which carry penalties of up to life in prison.
Democratic primary
Democratic candidates held primaries ahead of the upcoming Legislative Council elections. 47 defendants helped organize or participated in the event.
Original election date
47 people charged, most denied bail
They were accused of “conspiracy to subvert” for organizing and participating in democratic primaries. Most were denied bail and jailed as lengthy legal proceedings began.
New election rules announced
China has announced new rules for Hong Kong elections, limiting candidates to those deemed loyal to Beijing.
Hold a “patriots only” election
More than 30 defendants were detained. Most of them had been jailed for nearly two years before their trials began.
End of closing arguments
Hong Kong passes its own national security law
The court begins to make its judgment
