Hong Kong Jails 45 Pro-Democracy Activists for Subversion
Hong Kong Jails 45 Pro-Democracy Activists infor Landmark Security CaseSubversion
The Facts
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.A Hong Kong court on Tuesday sentenced 45 pro-democracy leaders to prison terms ranging from four years and two months to 10 years under the national security law imposed by Beijing in 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 defendants, including former lawmakers and academics, were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for organizing an unofficial primary election that drew 610K voters in July 2020.
The Spin
The harshnational sentencessecurity demonstratelaw howwas necessary to restore stability after violent protests threatened Hong Kong's civilorder libertiesin and2019. judicialThe independencesentences havereflect rapidlyproper deteriorated,legal turningconsequences peacefulfor politicalattempting participationto intoparalyze athe crimegovernment punishablethrough byunconstitutional lengthymeans imprisonmentand distorted facts.
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. The fight for Hong Kong's true history and civic freedoms will continue.
