Dozens of activists get 4 to 10 years in prison in Hong Kong's biggest national security case

Dozens of prominent activists were sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on Tuesday in Hong Kong's biggest national security case under a sweeping law imposed by Beijing that crushed a once-thriving pro-democracy movement.

The defendants were prosecuted in 2021 for their roles in an unofficial primary election under the 2020 national security law. They were accused of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong's government and force the city's leader to resign by aiming to win a legislative majority and using it to block government budgets indiscriminately.

The 45 people convicted received prison terms ranging from four years and two months to 10 years. Legal scholar Benny Tai was given the longest sentence.

They either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion by three government-approved judges.

The judges said in the verdict that the activists' plans to effect change through the election would have undermined the government's authority and created a constitutional crisis.

Observers said the case illustrated how authorities suppressed dissent following huge anti-government protests in 2019, alongside media crackdowns and reduced public choice in elections. They said the drastic changes reflect how Beijing's promise to retain the former British colony's civil liberties for 50 years when it returned to China in 1997 is increasingly threadbare. 

Beijing and Hong Kong governments insist the law is necessary for the city's stability.

The subversion case involves pro-democracy activists across the spectrum. Most of them had already been detained for more than three and a half years before the sentencing.

As they pleaded for lesser sentences, some activists were remorseful and apologized, while others remained defiant.

Lawyers for Tai and several other defendants argued their clients genuinely believed their actions were lawful at the time.

More than 200 people stood in line in moderate rain and winds Tuesday morning for a seat in the court, including one of the acquitted defendants Lee Yue-shun.

Lee said he hoped members of the public would show they care about the development of the court case.

"The public's interpretation and understanding has a far-reaching impact on our society's future development," he said.

A supporter known as "Grandpa Wong," who did not know the English spelling of his name, said he wanted to see the convicted activists again. He said he is about 100 years old and feared he wouldn't be able to see them when they are released from prison.