Hong Kong 47: first appeals filed in city’s largest national security case
Four opposition figures sentenced to more than six years in jail for subversion have challenged ruling over plot to topple government
Four Hong Kong opposition figures have become the first to lodge appeals against their convictions and sentences in the city’s biggest national security trial after being jailed for more than six years for subversion.
A court document released on Wednesday showed activist Owen Chow Ka-shing, former Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan, former district councillor Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying and ex-hospital worker Winnie Yu Wai-ming were representing themselves in the appeal proceedings.
A hearing date has not been scheduled, based on information available on the judiciary’s website.
The document showed the appeals were filed on Tuesday.
Three judges handed down jail terms to 45 opposition figures on Tuesday last week for their roles in an unauthorised “primary” election held four years ago, which the court ruled was part of a plot to overthrow the government.
The sentences ranged from four years and two months to 10 years for conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law.
A total of 47 opposition activists were charged, with 16 of them contesting while the rest entered a guilty plea. The court acquitted two of them.
