Summary

  • A Hong Kong court has found 14 democracy activists guilty of subversion and acquitted two in the biggest national security case

  • They are among 47 who were charged but only 16 of them entered not guilty pleas - subversion carries a maximum term of life imprisonment

  • They were all charged in 2021 with trying to “overthrow” the government by organising an unofficial election

  • From veteran politicians to student campaigners, they represent a cross section of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement

  • Their arrest marked the biggest crackdown under the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China in 2020

  • Beijing says the law is essential for Hong Kong’s stability but rights groups say it has crushed civil liberties and created a climate of fear

Live Reporting

Edited by Yvette Tan

  1. Welcome to our live coverage

    A Hong Kong court will decide the city’s biggest national security law case involving 47 pro-democracy campaigners accused of subversion.

    They are accused of trying to “overthrow” the government by running unofficial primaries in 2020 to pick opposition candidates for local elections.

    Sixteen of them have pleaded not guilty - if convicted, they could face a maximum sentence of life in jail. The remaining 31 have pleaded guilty.

    The group - known as the Hong Kong 47 - were charged in 2021 and have been in custody since.

    The trial only began early last year, dogged by repeated delays.

    It's also controversial, being viewed as yet another test of Hong Kong's national security law, which has seen more than 250 people arrested. Critics say the Beijing-imposed law has been used to crush dissent, while China defends it as necessary for stability.

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest from the courtroom in Hong Kong along with analysis and reaction.