Written by Jesse Pang and James Pomfret
HONG KONG (Reuters) – Fourteen Hong Kong pro-democracy activists were convicted and two acquitted on Thursday in a landmark subversive trial that critics say could deal another blow to the city's rule of law and its reputation as a global financial center.
The rulings in Hong Kong's largest trial against the democratic opposition come more than three years after police arrested 47 democrats in dawn raids on homes across the city. They were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a national security law imposed by China.
Those found guilty will be sentenced at a later date, with prison sentences ranging from three years to life for this crime. 31 defendants pleaded guilty, and four of them became prosecution witnesses.
The United States and some other countries criticized the trial as politically motivated and called for the immediate release of the defendants. The session was attended by diplomats from several countries, including the United States and the European Union.
Security measures were tightened around the Supreme Court, in the presence of a number of foreign diplomats. Dozens of police officers and police vehicles patrolled the area. Some supporters lined up throughout the night to secure a spot.
“I came because it is a critical stage and a historic moment” for Hong Kong, said a man who gave his last name as Chiu, 35, who began waiting at midnight. The defendants “all defended themselves and the people of Hong Kong in the hope of bringing about change.”
The defendants are accused of committing a “sinister plot” to paralyze the government in the former British colony and force the city's leader to resign through a pre-selection ballot in a citywide election in July 2020. Democrats insist it was an unofficial attempt to select the strongest candidates in an attempt to win a historic majority on the council. Legislative Council in Hong Kong.
Summing up their ruling, Justices Andrew Chan, Alex Lee and Johnny Chan wrote that had the defendants succeeded, it would have created a “constitutional crisis for Hong Kong” and led to “serious interference with, disruption or undermining of the performance of duties and functions.” In accordance with the (Hong Kong) Government Law.”
Many of the defendants, including activists Owen Chow and Gwyneth Ho, appeared stone-faced in the dock as sentences were delivered in the packed courtroom.
Also among those convicted are former Democratic legislators Leung Kwok Hong, Lam Cheok Ting and Helena Wong. It is not yet clear whether any of them will appeal, with the court adjourned until the afternoon session.
“Unforgiving clarification”
Leung, 68, is the eldest of the defendants.
“Even though he may not be well emotionally and has not yet adapted to prison life… he always told me he was innocent,” Leung's wife, Chan Bo Ying, told Reuters.
Lawyer Lawrence Lau and social worker Lee Yu-chun were acquitted.
“There are still other defendants in this case who arouse our interest and even love,” Lau said outside court. He told reporters that he could not say much given the possibility that the prosecution would appeal his acquittal.
Massive pro-democracy protests broke out in Hong Kong in 2019 against Beijing's plans to pass legislation that Democrats said would infringe on freedoms guaranteed when Hong Kong returned to Chinese control in 1997.
In 2020, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law that led to a wave of arrests of democracy activists as well as the closure of liberal media and NGOs. Hong Kong's democratic opposition has for decades sought to pressure Beijing to allow full democracy in the city.
The once-violent street marches, demonstrations and vigils have essentially stopped amid intense police action.
“This unprecedented mass conviction is the most cruel example yet of how Hong Kong’s national security law has been used as a weapon to silence dissent,” Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International’s China director, said in a statement. “It represents an almost complete purge of the political opposition.”
Beijing says national security laws have brought stability to Hong Kong and that human rights are respected.
Most of the accused have been detained since February 28, 2021 and have undergone marathon bail hearings.
Among those who have pleaded guilty are former legal scholar Benny Tai, described by prosecutors as the “mastermind” of the “plot,” and activist Joshua Wong.
