Hong Kong Court Rejects Appeal in Landmark Subversion Case
The Hong Kong Court of Appeal has dismissed appeals filed by jailed pro-democracy activists in a high-profile subversion case under the Beijing-imposed national security law.
The ruling, delivered on Monday, relates to the widely known “Hong Kong 47” case, in which dozens of opposition politicians and activists were arrested for organising an unofficial primary election in 2020. Authorities argued that the move amounted to a subversive plot aimed at undermining the government.
Forty-five defendants were sentenced in 2024 to prison terms ranging from four to 10 years, drawing criticism from several foreign governments and human rights organisations. Eleven activists who challenged their convictions — including former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan, and Helena Wong, as well as former journalist Gwyneth Ho — had their appeals dismissed. The court also rejected all appeals against the sentences.
Lawrence Lau, a former district councillor who was among the two defendants acquitted during the initial trial, retained his acquittal after judges rejected a prosecution appeal.
The case stems from the aftermath of the massive pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong in 2019. In June 2020, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on the semi-autonomous city, significantly curbing dissent.
In July 2020, the pro-democracy camp held an unofficial primary election to select candidates for the legislative polls. Organisers hoped to secure a majority in the legislature to pressure the government into accepting demands such as universal suffrage and increased police accountability by threatening to veto the city’s budget.
Prosecutors argued during the trial that the activists’ strategy was intended to paralyse the government and force the city’s leader to resign. Judges ruled in 2024 that the plan would have undermined governmental authority and triggered a constitutional crisis.
Some of the convicted activists have spent nearly five years in custody. As of last month, 18 other defendants who did not appeal have completed their sentences and been released.
The ruling comes amid broader restrictions on civil liberties in Hong Kong. Earlier this month, media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison in a separate national security case, a verdict widely criticised by international media and rights groups.
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