Two former organizers of Hong Kong’s annual vigil commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown were found guilty in a national security case on Friday, under a law imposed by China that has stifled the city’s pro-democracy movement. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, previous leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, were convicted for inciting subversion in 2021. Despite pleading not guilty, they now face a possible 10-year prison sentence. The alliance itself was also deemed guilty by the court.
The judges determined that the alliance’s advocacy to “end one-party dictatorship” aimed not to restore multiparty cooperation as per the constitution but to overthrow the Communist Party’s leadership. The judges highlighted that continuing this call post the law’s enactment violated the constitution, which upholds the party’s leadership as a fundamental aspect of Chinese socialism. Such actions were deemed as “other unlawful means” under the national security law.
This verdict is part of a series of legal actions against Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, which has faced significant suppression by local and Chinese authorities. The annual candlelight vigil organized by the alliance, which used to attract tens of thousands, was abruptly banned in 2020 amidst the pandemic and prior to the enforcement of the security law following the 2019 protests.
Lee and Chow, who are yet to be sentenced, expressed gratitude to the public gallery as they left the courtroom. Observers view their trial as emblematic of the diminishing freedom of expression in the territory since its handover to Chinese rule in 1997. The judges refrained from providing the full details of the conviction during the trial but promised to release the comprehensive judgment online later.
The trial, which was initially set for 75 days, concluded sooner than anticipated after closing statements on the 24th day. Albert Ho, another defendant in the case, had earlier entered a guilty plea, potentially leading to a reduced sentence. Lee and Chow are likely to seek lighter penalties in a subsequent hearing, possibly alongside Ho.
After the ruling, Lee’s wife expressed disappointment and frustration but maintained Lee’s innocence. She criticized the court for allegedly disregarding their legal team’s arguments and evidence. The possibility of an appeal is being considered for the future.
Supporters of Lee and Chow gathered outside the court as they awaited the verdict, with some expressing doubts about the allegations. The 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, which marked a tragic turning point in modern Chinese history, led to the loss of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. The subsequent years witnessed a transformation of China into a major global economy without corresponding political liberalization.
The 2020 security law imposed by Beijing in Hong Kong was defended as essential for the city’s stability. Numerous prominent activists, including media mogul Jimmy Lai, were arrested under this law, resulting in the dissolution of several civil society groups, including the alliance.