A Hong Kong appeals court affirmed the convictions and sentences of twelve democracy activists who were imprisoned for subversion under a national security law imposed by Beijing. These individuals, part of a group of 45 opposition figures, were jailed in 2024 for organizing an unofficial primary election that was considered a subversive act by authorities.
The primary election in 2020 aimed to enhance the chances of pro-democracy lawmakers winning a majority in the legislature to push for demands such as universal suffrage by threatening to veto the city budget. Chief Judge Jeremy Poon of the High Court described the election as a “constitutional weapon of mass destruction” and ruled it unlawful, emphasizing that the pursuit of universal suffrage does not justify actions that interfere with the constitutional order.
The appeals of the twelve activists, including prominent figures like “Long Hair” Leung Kwok-hung and former journalist Gwyneth Ho, were dismissed by a three-judge panel. Despite this outcome, the campaigners showed resilience by smiling and waving to their supporters in the courtroom.
Pro-democracy activist Chan Po-ying, the wife of one of the defendants, criticized the court’s decision as “absurd” and claimed that the judges wrongly assumed the defendants’ intention to subvert state power. Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson Fernando Cheung expressed disappointment, stating that the court missed an opportunity to correct a grave injustice.
The case, known as the “Hong Kong 47,” originated from the aftermath of the 2019 pro-democracy protests and the subsequent implementation of a national security law by Beijing in 2020. The mass arrest of opposition figures in 2021 following a record voter turnout in the primary election raised concerns about eroding freedoms in the city.
The convicted individuals, aged between 28 and 69, included elected lawmakers, district councillors, unionists, and academics with varying political ideologies. The court handed down sentences ranging from four years and two months to 10 years based on the defendants’ roles and circumstances.
Following this decision, the appellants have the option to appeal to Hong Kong’s highest court. Meanwhile, 18 other defendants who did not challenge their convictions have been released after serving their prison terms, choosing to maintain a low profile and avoid engaging in political discussions. One of the two individuals acquitted in the case, Lawrence Lau, had his acquittal upheld by the court, acknowledging doubts about his alleged subversive intentions.