Hong Kong Alliance, Lee and Chow convicted in subversion case
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Three national security judges on Thursday convicted the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan and former vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung of inciting subversion of state power after trial. Former vice-chairman Albert Ho had pleaded guilty before the trial opened, and sentencing is to follow after the case is concluded.
Key Points
- The case was heard by designated national security judges Esther Toh Lye-ping, Alex Lee Wan-tang and Johnny Chan Jong-herng, with the hearing held in Court 3 and moved to West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts for the ruling.
- The four defendants were accused of inciting others in Hong Kong between July 1, 2020 and September 8, 2021 to organize, plan, implement or participate in acts by unlawful means aimed at subverting state power.
- In a summary of the ruling, the court said the defendants understood after the national security law took effect that the slogan “end one-party dictatorship” was unconstitutional, but persisted in their confrontational stance
- The judges said the defendants deliberately linked the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown with the 2019 anti-extradition protests to stir hostility toward the Communist Party and undermine public confidence in the Chinese Communist Party, with the aim of damaging the state’s fundamental system
- The Judiciary arranged seven overflow courts with live feeds, distributing 553 public tickets, while 71 press seats were also provided and representatives from the European Union and the United States attended the hearing.
Why It Matters
The convictions resolve one of the most closely watched national security trials involving the now-dissolved alliance and its long-running “end one-party dictatorship” platform, but sentencing for the convicted defendants still lies ahead. The heavy public interest, diplomatic attendance and special court arrangements show the case will continue to draw close attention in Hong Kong as the written judgment is examined.