Dozens of activists are jailed for four to 10 years in Hong Kong's biggest national security case

Dozens of prominent activists were sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison in Hong Kong's biggest national security case under a Beijing-imposed law that crushed a once-thriving pro-democracy movement.

The defendants were prosecuted in 2021 for their role in an unofficial primary election under the 2020 National Security Law. They were accused of trying to paralyze the Hong Kong government and force the city's leader to resign by seeking a legislative majority and using it to block government budgets indiscriminately.

The 45 convicts received prison sentences ranging from four years and two months to ten years. Legal scholar Benny Tai received the longest sentence.

They pleaded guilty or were found guilty by three government-approved judges of conspiracy to commit subversion.

The judges said in the ruling that the activists' plans to bring about change through elections would have undermined the government's authority and created a constitutional crisis.

Observers said the case illustrated how authorities suppressed dissent after massive anti-government protests in 2019, in addition to a media crackdown and reduced public choice in elections. They said the drastic changes reflect how Beijing's pledge to preserve the former British colony's civil liberties for 50 years upon its return to China in 1997 is becoming increasingly threadbare.

The governments of Beijing and Hong Kong emphasize that the law is necessary for the city's stability.

The subversion case involves pro-democracy activists from across the spectrum. Most of them had already been in prison for more than three and a half years before the conviction.

Some activists are contrite, others defiant

While advocating for lesser sentences, some activists expressed contrition and apologies, while others remained defiant.

Attorneys for Tai and several other defendants argued that their clients at the time genuinely believed their actions were lawful.

More than 200 people lined up for a seat in the court Tuesday morning in moderate rain and wind, including one of the acquitted defendants Lee Yue-shun.

Lee said he hoped the public would show they care about the development of the lawsuit.

“The public's interpretation and understanding has a far-reaching impact on the future development of our society,” he said.

A supporter known as 'Grandpa Wong', who did not know the English spelling of his name, said he wanted to see the convicted activists again. He said he is about 100 years old and feared he would not be able to see them when they are released from prison.

Wei Siu-lik, a friend of convicted activist Clarisse Yeung, said she arrived at 4 a.m. even though her leg was injured.

“I wanted to let them know that there are still many who come here for them,” she said.

Police formed a tight security cordon for several blocks around the West Kowloon Magistrates Court as supporters queued outside.

US says trial is 'politically motivated'

The unofficial primaries in July 2020, which attracted 610,000 voters, were intended to elect pro-democracy candidates who would then participate in the official elections.

The pro-democracy camp at the time hoped they could win a legislative majority, allowing them to push for the 2019 protest demands, including greater police accountability and democratic elections for the city leader.

But the government postponed the parliamentary elections that would have followed the primaries, citing public health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The US has criticized the trial as “politically motivated” and said the Democrats should be released because they had “peacefully participated in political activities” that were legal.