Around forty activists were on trial as part of a vast trial for having organized an unofficial primary in 2020, under a security law imposed by Beijing.
This is a blow to the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong.
45 activists, arrested three years ago, received heavy sentences of up to 10 years in prison on Tuesday, as part of the most notorious trial held for “endangering national security”.
The defendants were found guilty of “subversion”, for having organized primaries ahead of the legislative elections in order to nominate opposition candidates.
These exemplary sentences were handed down under Beijing’s 2020 national security law, which has largely criminalized dissent. Hundreds of people came to show their support.
“This will of course silence more people,” said Emilia Wong, companion of activist Ventus Lau, “because we see to what extent a primary can be considered illegal and lead to ten-year sentences. ‘imprisonment”.
Washington “strongly condemned” this court decision, like several human rights NGOs.
