National “security law”: mass trial against Hong Kong activists begins

As of today, 47 democracy activists are on trial in Hong Kong – including several prominent members of the opposition. It is the largest trial to date for violations of China’s “security law”.

The largest trial to date for alleged violations of the controversial “security law” has begun in the Chinese special administrative region of Hong Kong. 47 pro-democracy activists and former opposition MPs are in the dock. It is expected that the procedures could take several months. The accused face life imprisonment if convicted.

According to the Hong Kong newspaper “South China Morning Post”, 18 of a total of 47 accused appeared in court who had previously stated that they did not want to plead guilty. At the start of the trial, two of the 18 defendants changed their statements and pleaded guilty. Several people gathered in front of the court with placards calling for the “release of all political prisoners”.

Numerous celebrities among the accused

Among the 47 accused are numerous prominent activists, such as legal scholar Benny Tai, former MPs Claudia Mo, Au Nok-hin and Leung Kwok-hung, and democracy activists Joshua Wong and Lester Shum.

The group of opposition activists had already been charged almost two years ago. The majority of them have been in custody since then. They are charged with “conspiracy to subvert”. The group is accused of organizing illegal primary elections ahead of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council elections in 2020, which were later canceled due to the pandemic.

In doing so, the accused committed state endangerment and violated the “security law” introduced by China in late summer of the same year.

The passing of the “security law” as a reaction to the demonstrations in Hong Kong, which lasted around a year, met with sharp criticism internationally. It targets activities that Beijing classifies as subversive, separatist, terrorist or conspiratorial.

Until a few years ago, the Chinese special administrative region of Hong Kong was considered the bastion of freedom of expression in China. Since Beijing enacted the “security law” in 2020, however, massive action has been taken in the special administrative region against pro-democracy activists and other voices critical of Beijing. The authorities are also using a law against “riots” dating back to the British colonial era.