Hong Kong court hears arguments over sentencing for former Tiananmen vigil organizers
Summary
Three former leaders of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil were convicted of inciting subversion under China’s national security law. They appeared in court to discuss their sentences, which could be up to 10 years in prison. The court also found their disbanded pro-democracy group guilty.Key Facts
- The three convicted are Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and Albert Ho, former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
- They were charged in 2021 under China’s national security law, which targets actions seen as threatening state security.
- Lee and Chow pleaded not guilty, while Ho pleaded guilty.
- They face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
- The pro-democracy alliance organized annual vigils in Hong Kong commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.
- The court judges said the defendants encouraged efforts to end one-party rule in China by unlawful means.
- The verdict has raised concerns among foreign governments about declining freedoms in Hong Kong.
- Chow argued that seeking democracy should not be treated as a crime and that she did not deserve prison.
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