Subversion charges: Hong Kong jails 45 pro-democracy campaigners

Hong Kong's High Court yesterday jailed 45 pro-democracy activists for up to 10 years following a landmark national security trial that has damaged the city's once feisty democracy movement and drawn criticism from the US and other countries.

A total of 47 pro-democracy activists were arrested and charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion under a Beijing-imposed national security law which carried sentences of up to life in prison.

Joshua Wong and Benny Tai, a former legal scholar identified in the judgement as a "mastermind" of the activists' plans, were among those jailed for subversion.

The charges related to the organising of an unofficial "primary election" in 2020 to select the best candidates for an upcoming legislative election. The activists were accused by prosecutors of plotting to paralyse the government by engaging in potentially disruptive acts had they been elected.

Some Western governments have criticised the trial, with the US describing it as "politically motivated" and saying the democrats should be released as they had been legally and peacefully participating in political activities.

The Chinese and Hong Kong governments say the national security laws were necessary to restore order after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019, and the democrats have been treated in accordance with local laws.

After a 118-day trial, 14 of the democrats were found guilty in May, including Australian citizen Gordon Ng and activists Owen Chow and Gwyneth Ho, while two were acquitted.

The other 31 pleaded guilty and all 45 were given sentences ranging from 4-10 years.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was "gravely concerned" about the sentences, and called on China to "cease suppression of freedoms of expression, assembly, media and civil society," in Hong Kong.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters that "no one can engage in illegal activities in the name of democracy and attempt to escape legal punishment", adding that Beijing "firmly supports" Hong Kong's efforts to safeguard national security.