Hong Kong’s largest national security trial opened yesterday with dozens of pro-democracy figures accused of trying to topple the government in a case critics say reflects the criminalization of dissent in the Chinese territory.
The 47 defendants, who include some of the territory’s most prominent activists, face up to life in prison if convicted.
Sixteen have pleaded not guilty to charges of “conspiracy to commit subversion” over an unofficial primary election. The other 31 have pleaded guilty and are to be sentenced after the trial.
Photo: AFP
A small protest erupted before the court convened, despite the large police presence. One man was seen raising his fist in solidarity.
The defendants maintain they are being persecuted for routine politics, while rights groups say the trial illustrates how the legal system is being used to crush what remains of the opposition.
Most of the group have already spent nearly two years behind bars. They now face proceedings expected to last more than four months, overseen by judges handpicked by the government.
The case is the largest to date under the National Security Law, which China imposed on Hong Kong after huge democracy protests in 2019.
More than 100 people had lined up outside the court, some overnight, hoping to see the trial begin yesterday.
Chan Po-ying (陳寶瑩), a veteran campaigner and wife of defendant “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung (梁國雄), joined supporters carrying a banner that read “Crackdown is shameless” and “Immediately release all political prisoners.”
“This is political persecution,” she said outside the court.
Inside, Leung repeated his not-guilty plea, adding: “Resisting tyranny is not a crime.”
Those on trial represent a cross-section of Hong Kong’s opposition — including former student leader Joshua Wong (黃之鋒) and former district councilor Lester Shum (岑敖暉), professor Benny Tai 戴耀廷), and former lawmakers Claudia Mo (毛孟靜) and Au Nok-hin (區諾軒).
Most — 34 out of 47 — have been denied bail, while the few released from custody must abide by strict conditions, including speech restrictions.
The group was jointly charged in March 2021 after organizing an unofficial primary a year earlier.
Their stated aim was to win a majority in territory’s legislature, which would allow them to push the protesters’ demands and potentially force the resignation of Hong Kong’s leader.
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