Forty-seven pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong have been charged with conspiracy to commit sabotage in a historic political case. Many of the accused have been in jail for nearly two years awaiting trial.
The case highlights the sweeping power of national security laws imposed by China to tighten its grip on the city after massive anti-government protests. These are the politicians, academics and activists who are now facing jail terms.
Benny Tai58, was a law professor at the University of Hong Kong.
Joshua Wong26, became a prominent activist at the age of 14.
There were twelve Elected MLAsThey often used their presence in the legislature to protest China’s encroachment on Hong Kong’s autonomy.
Moe served as a legislator for eight years and is known as “Auntie Moe”.
Leung, known as “Long Hair”, was a mainstay of the opposition for nearly two decades.
Chan was Hong Kong’s first openly gay lawmaker.
It was twenty one Elected District OfficersIncluding younger activists who voted in the months following anti-government protests in 2019.
Sham was the leader of an activist group that organized massive pro-democracy rallies throughout 2019.
There were others Key activists Worked in various social works.
Ng is a former flight attendant who became a union leader.
Ho was a well-known journalist in 2019 who, during a livestream of a mob attack on protesters, was herself beaten up by thugs.
Wang was a student leader who began her activism when she was in high school.
Prolonged detentions without trial
The 47 defendants were first charged with sabotage in February 2021 in a case of holding an unauthorized primary vote.
Unlike other types of crimes, national security cases impose a higher limit on bail, which results in authorities holding defendants for months or even years before trial. Critics say that amounts to a presumption that the defendants are guilty.
At the hearing before the trial, 16 pleaded guilty and 31 pleaded not guilty, including Benny Tai and Joshua Wong. Most, if not all, of the 47 are expected to receive prison terms ranging from less than three years to life.
The defendants and their lawyers are barred from commenting on the case. But legal experts say pro-democracy advocates are under enormous pressure to plead guilty because of long detentions, dwindling financial resources and the difficult chances of winning in court, modeled after China’s authoritarian system.
“The process is designed to be as painful as possible,” said Samuel Bickett, a Washington, DC-based lawyer and activist who was jailed in Hong Kong in 2019 after an altercation with a plainclothes police officer.
The transformation of Hong Kong’s political landscape
Since June 2019, Hong Kong has been engulfed in widespread protests calling for greater independence from China. To quell the unrest, Beijing imposed a national security law in June 2020, days before 47 democrats held a primary election that would lead to their arrest later in the month for subversion.
About three-quarters of the 47 have since served nearly two years in prison. His absence led to a lack of anti-establishment voices in Hong Kong’s legislature, which passed controversial measures such as the “patriots only” litmus test for political candidates without opposition.
Protests began
Mass anti-government protests began and intensified over the months.
The National Security Act was enacted
The new law bans the vaguely defined crimes of separatism, sabotage and terrorism, punishable by life in prison.
A pro-democracy primary
Pro-democracy candidates held primaries ahead of the upcoming Legislative Council elections. 47 accused helped organize or participated in this event.
Original date of election
47 people have been charged, most have been denied bail
He was charged with “conspiracy to sabotage” for organizing and participating in the pro-democracy primary. Most were denied bail and put behind bars as the lengthy legal process began.
New election rules announced
China announced new rules for Hong Kong elections, limiting candidates to those loyal to Beijing.
Elections are held for “patriots only”.
At present, more than 30 accused have been arrested. Most of them were imprisoned for almost two years before the trial began.
The trial is expected to last three months.