Hong Kong’s High Court sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to prison terms of up to 10 years on Tuesday, following a high-profile national security trial that has drawn international criticism and dealt a severe blow to the city’s democracy movement.
The activists were charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law. The charges stemmed from their organization of an unofficial 2020 primary election to select candidates for a legislative election. Prosecutors alleged the activists intended to paralyze the government if elected.
Benny Tai, a former legal scholar and a key figure in the case, received the harshest sentence of 10 years. Other prominent activists, including Joshua Wong, Owen Chow, and Gwyneth Ho, received sentences ranging from four to nearly eight years. In total, 14 activists were convicted after a 118-day trial, while 31 pleaded guilty.
The national security law, introduced in 2020, has been criticized by Western nations as a tool to suppress dissent. The U.S. condemned the trial as “politically motivated,” while Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed deep concern, urging China to respect freedoms of expression and assembly in Hong Kong. Taiwan’s presidential office also denounced the sentences, reaffirming its solidarity with Hong Kong.
The Chinese and Hong Kong governments defended the law, asserting it was essential to restore stability after the mass pro-democracy protests of 2019. However, critics argue the crackdown has tarnished Hong Kong’s reputation as a global financial hub.
As hundreds gathered outside the court under tight security, activists and supporters voiced their dismay. Gwyneth Ho, sentenced to seven years, reflected on their actions in a social media post, writing, “We dared to confront the regime with the question: Will democracy ever be possible? The answer was a complete crackdown.”
The sentencing comes as Hong Kong hosts an international financial summit aimed at attracting global investors, spotlighting the tension between the city’s aspirations as a business hub and its increasingly restricted political freedoms.