Hong Kong court upholds ruling in landmark subversion case

Hong Kong Court of Appeal Dismisses Appeals from Jailed Democracy Campaigners

The Hong Kong Court of Appeal has upheld the convictions of 11 democracy campaigners who were sentenced to prison for organizing an unofficial primary election in 2024. The defendants, including former lawmakers and politicians, were among 45 opposition figures who were arrested and charged under the Beijing-imposed national security law.

In June 2023, the pro-democracy camp held its unofficial primary, which aimed to shortlist candidates for a legislative election later that year. The campaign hoped to secure a majority in the legislature to threaten vetoing the city budget unless demands like universal suffrage and greater police accountability were met.

Prosecutors argued that the activists’ plans would have undermined the government’s authority and created a constitutional crisis. The judges agreed, stating that the activists aimed to paralyze Hong Kong’s government and force its leader to resign.

Eleven of the defendants appealed their convictions, but the Court of Appeal dismissed all appeals on Monday. Lawrence Lau, a pro-democracy former district councillor, was one of two activists acquitted in the case. His acquittal was upheld following an appeal by the prosecution.

The verdict stems from the “Hong Kong 47” case, which began after huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests that took place in Hong Kong from 2019. The national security law was imposed in June 2023, restricting dissent in the semi-autonomous city.

As of last month, 18 other defendants who did not contest their convictions have been released after completing their sentences. Some of the appellants have already spent nearly five years behind bars.

Source: Al Jazeera