Hong Kong Appeals Court Rejects Bids by Pro-Democracy Activists

A Hong Kong appeals court on Monday rejected challenges from eleven pro-democracy activists convicted under Beijing's national security law. The activists were part of a massive case involving 47 people charged for organizing an unofficial primary election in 2020.

HONG KONG (AP) — An appeals court in Hong Kong on Monday rejected challenges from pro-democracy activists in the territory’s largest prosecution under Beijing’s national security legislation.

The democracy supporters were part of a group of 47 activists who faced charges in 2021 for allegedly conspiring to commit subversion through their participation in an unofficial primary vote. This sweeping legal action against some of the city’s most prominent activists effectively dismantled much of Hong Kong’s once-vibrant pro-democracy movement, which had peaked during the massive anti-government demonstrations of 2019.

In 2024, forty-five defendants received prison sentences ranging from four to ten years, with international governments and human rights organizations condemning the harsh punishments.

The eleven activists whose conviction appeals were denied included former legislative members Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan and Helena Wong.

The Court of Appeal also rejected all challenges to the sentences handed down.

Lawrence Lau, a former pro-democracy district councilor who was among two activists cleared in the case, saw his acquittal maintained after prosecutors appealed the decision.

Building on momentum from the 2019 demonstrations, the pro-democracy faction had planned to capitalize on the 2020 legislative elections. The unofficial primary was designed to select pro-democracy candidates for the formal election.

The movement hoped to win a legislative majority that could advance protesters’ goals, including increased police oversight and democratic selection of the city’s leadership.

Throughout the proceedings, government lawyers argued the activists sought to paralyze Hong Kong’s administration and compel the city’s chief executive to step down. In their 2024 ruling, judges determined that the activists’ strategy to create change through the unofficial primary would have weakened governmental authority and triggered a constitutional crisis.

Opposition voices argued the activists’ convictions demonstrated how officials suppressed dissent after the 2019 protests. Both Beijing and Hong Kong authorities maintain the national security legislation was essential for maintaining the city’s stability.

The prosecution encompassed democracy advocates from various backgrounds, including legal academic Benny Tai, who received a 10-year sentence, and former student activist Joshua Wong, who was sentenced to four years and eight months.

Close to 20 activists from the case have been freed from custody during the past year. This group included former district councilors Jimmy Sham and Lester Shum. Sham and Lee Yue-shun, another cleared activist, spoke with Lau prior to Monday’s court session.

When imprisoned activists entered the courtroom, several gestured and smiled toward family members and supporters, who responded with waves of their own.

Some citizens waited in line outside the courthouse since Saturday to obtain courtroom seats. Retiree Margaret Chan came Monday morning, wanting to demonstrate solidarity with those she viewed as innocent.

Witnessing some activists freed from prison brought her comfort. “They have survived it,” she said.