Two former organizers of Hong Kong’s annual vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown have been found guilty in a national security case under a law imposed by China. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, previous leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were convicted of inciting subversion in 2021. Despite pleading not guilty, they face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The alliance itself was also deemed guilty.
The judges concluded that the alliance’s advocacy to “end one-party dictatorship” was not simply a call for the ruling Communist Party to adopt a multi-party system, but rather an attempt to undermine its leadership. The judges stated that persisting with this call post the law’s enactment constituted a violation, as the constitution regards the party’s leadership as a fundamental aspect of socialism with Chinese characteristics, making such demands unlawful under the security law.
This verdict is part of a series of legal actions against Hong Kong’s previously active pro-democracy movement, which has been significantly curtailed by both local and Chinese authorities. The candlelight vigil organized by the alliance, a significant annual event mourning the Tiananmen Square victims, has been banned since 2020, coinciding with the imposition of the security law following the 2019 anti-government protests.
Lee and Chow, upon leaving the courtroom, acknowledged the public gallery with smiles and waves. Their sentencing is scheduled for a later date, where they plan to appeal for reduced penalties. Observers view this trial as emblematic of the diminishing freedom of expression in the territory since its handover to China in 1997.
The judicial process, initially anticipated to span 75 days, concluded its closing arguments in just 24 days. Albert Ho, another defendant who pleaded guilty at the trial’s outset, may receive a lighter sentence as a result. The judges did not disclose the detailed reasoning behind the conviction during the trial, promising to publish the full judgment online later.
Supporters of Lee and Chow expressed skepticism regarding the accusations, with some questioning the fairness of the legal proceedings. The guilty verdict has sparked disappointment and anger among the defendants’ families and supporters, with plans for potential appeals in the future. Amidst ongoing political changes and crackdowns on dissent, the once-vibrant civil society in Hong Kong has faced significant challenges, leading to the dissolution of numerous activist groups, including the alliance.