Hong Kong 47: trial 1,240 days in the making finds 14 opposition leaders guilty, as 2 walk free
- Most of 47 have been remanded in custody since they were arrested on January 6, 2021, on subversion charges over unofficial legislative ‘primary’ election
- Sixteen who pleaded not guilty spent 118 days in court in trial spanning 10 months before hearing verdict
Hong Kong’s opposition camp was raided in a series of high-profile arrests by national security police on January 6, 2021, and it would be another 1,240 days before they found out their status before the law – 14 were found guilty, two walked free.
Most of the 47 – who include former veteran lawmakers and rising stars of the now-decimated opposition camp – have been on remand for their assorted roles in an unofficial election held the previous year to boost their chances to take control of the legislature and bring down the government.
While many of the key opposition figures were known for their open defiance of authorities, 31 of them eventually opted to enter guilty pleas over charges of subversion in exchange for a one-third sentence reduction.
Some 16 of them, however, pleaded not guilty and had their cases heard during a 118-day trial.
Under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, subversion carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
On Thursday, the 16 – 10 of whom had been out on bail – returned to West Kowloon Court to hear the verdict.
Previously, the government had said that the number of defendants and the large volume of evidence presented before the court had contributed to the case taking more than three years to be concluded.
Those granted bail during the proceedings opted to enter the courtroom alone on Thursday, with some waving to their families and friends before heading inside.
Michael Pang Cheuk-kei, one of the 16 and a former district councillor, shaved his head before the session and was seen silently bowing to journalists as he made his way into the courtroom.
Meanwhile, former Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing showed up in court to lend her support to her party colleagues who were among the 16 on trial.
“We have been waiting for this day for more than three years. I am very sad that so many people have been locked up for so long,” she said.
“If you recall the day they were arrested, it is the same day that supporters of Donald Trump stormed Capitol Hill … even if they pleaded guilty, they didn’t have to wait for so long.”
A panel of three judges hand-picked by Hong Kong’s leader eventually convicted all but two of the 16, after finding the aim of the unofficial primary was part of a plot to “undermine, destroy or overthrow” the government.
Those on bail over the past three years had to abide by conditions that included reporting weekly to police, in some cases up to four times a week, as well as midnight curfews and the confiscation of their travel documents.
Former district councillor Lee Yue-shun, one of the two acquitted by the court on Thursday, said he had taken the time before the verdict to reflect on his life over the last three years.
He described the period as the “most turbulent and confusing time” in his life, but it also led him to devote himself to dance competitions, practising martial arts and studying for a law degree.
Having earned his degree in that time, Lee likened Thursday’s verdict to a “special” graduation ceremony.
“I decided to live an active life and defend our way of life and common sense, and this seemed to be the only thing I could do,” he said.
The prosecution has indicated it intends to appeal against the acquittal of Lee and barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung.
The 14 will return to court on June 25 for mitigation, before sentencing is meted out.
It is currently not known when the remaining 31 out of the 47, who all pleaded guilty, will appear for mitigation.
