A Hong Kong court has sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to jail terms of up to 10 years on Tuesday, marking the first mass sentencing since Beijing imposed a controversial national security law on the semi-autonomous Chinese city. These activists were part of a group of 47 people arrested in 2021 for organizing unofficial primary elections to select pro-democracy legislative candidates. Authorities claimed that this action violated the broad national security law introduced by Beijing in 2020.
The activists were accused of plotting to “overthrow” the government by pressuring the city’s leader to resign, leading to what is being described as the largest national security case in Hong Kong. Foreign governments and rights groups have criticized the verdict, expressing concerns about democratic regression and human rights violations in the city.
The trial stemmed from a series of protests in 2019 against a proposed law that could have allowed extraditions to mainland China. In response, pro-democracy advocates and politicians organized a primary election in July 2020 to select candidates for the legislative elections. The activists aimed to secure a majority in the legislature to push for police accountability and democratic elections for city leaders.
Following the unofficial election, 55 candidates and participants were arrested in January 2021, with 47 individuals eventually charged with conspiracy to commit subversion or undermine the government. The official legislative elections were later postponed to December 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the trial, prominent figures such as legal scholar Benny Tai and former student leaders Joshua Wong and Lester Shum were among those arrested. A marathon pre-trial hearing took place in March 2021, with the trial continuing into June 2022. Many defendants were denied bail and remained in prison until the sentencing on Tuesday.
Benny Tai received the harshest sentence of 10 years, with prosecutors labeling him as the “mastermind” behind the alleged conspiracy. Other activists received varying sentences, with some pleading guilty in hopes of lighter punishment. The court ruled that the activists’ plan to effect change would have undermined the government and constituted a constitutional crisis.
The ruling has significant implications for democracy in Hong Kong, showcasing the extent to which dissent has been suppressed since the 2019 protests and the implementation of the national security law in 2020. Many view the changes as a threat to the city’s civil liberties and autonomy from Beijing. Protesters, families of the defendants, and diplomatic representatives stood in solidarity outside the court during the sentencing, reflecting the deep concern surrounding the case.