Hong Kong convicts 14 activists of subversion in biggest security case

Hong Kong has found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of subversion, marking the largest application of the China-imposed National Security Law to date. The convicted individuals include former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung and Helena Wong, journalist-turned-campaigner Gwyneth Ho, and ordinary citizens like nurse Winnie Yu who participated in the 2019 mass protests.

These activists were among 47 charged with attempting to “overthrow” the government by organising an unofficial primary in 2020 to select candidates for office. The court ruled on Thursday that their election to the legislature would have “[created] a constitutional crisis for Hong Kong,” aligning with the prosecution’s argument.

The court presented letters and campaign materials found at the defendants’ homes and on their devices as evidence. Two of the defendants, former district councillors Lawrence Lau and Lee Yue-Shen, were acquitted due to insufficient evidence of their involvement in the alleged scheme. However, the justice department plans to appeal these acquittals.

The 47 activists include some of the most prominent figures in the pro-democracy movement, tracing back to the 2014 protests advocating for free and fair elections.