The defendants, including former lawmakers, activists, and academics, were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for organizing an unofficial primary election that drew 610,000 voters in July 2020.

Legal scholar Benny Tai received the longest sentence of 10 years, while prominent activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months for their roles in the primary election scheme.

The judges ruled that the defendants' plan to win a legislative majority and repeatedly veto the government's budget would have created a constitutional crisis.

Associated Press

Of the original 47 defendants, 31 pleaded guilty hoping for lighter sentences, 14 were convicted after contesting the charges, and two were acquitted in the largest single prosecution under the security law.

The case represents the biggest single blow to Hong Kong's political freedoms since Beijing's security law implementation, with over 300 people arrested under the legislation since 2020.

Hong Kong Democracy Activists Sentenced in Security Trial

China

Freedom & human rights

Politics

Civil liberties

The harsh sentences demonstrate how Hong Kong's civil liberties and judicial independence have rapidly deteriorated, turning peaceful political participation into a crime punishable by lengthy imprisonment.

45 sentenced to up to 10 years in prison in Hong Kong national security case

Hong Kong Jails 45 Democracy Activists in Landmark Security Case

Videos

Apps

Hong Kong Jails 45 Democracy Activists in Landmark Security Case

Hong Kong Jails 45 Democracy Activists Sentenced in Landmark Security TrialCase

The Facts

The Spin

Sign up to our daily newsletter