2 organizers of Hong Kong's Tiananmen vigils convicted in national security case
Summary
Two leaders of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, were convicted for inciting others to overthrow China’s communist government under a national security law. The law, imposed by Beijing in 2020, has largely ended Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. The accused face up to 10 years in prison.Key Facts
- Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung were former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
- They were charged in 2021 with inciting subversion under China’s national security law.
- The law was introduced by China in 2020 to crack down on political dissent in Hong Kong.
- The judges ruled their call to “end one-party dictatorship” meant overthrowing the Communist Party.
- The alliance itself was also found guilty in the case.
- The two face up to 10 years in prison and will ask for reduced sentences soon.
- Hong Kong’s annual candlelight vigil was a major event remembering the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown but was banned in recent years.
- Observers say the verdict shows the decline of freedom of expression in Hong Kong since its return to Chinese rule in 1997.
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