HK democrats found guilty in landmark subversion trial

Security was tight around the Hong Kong court where democrats were found guilty in a landmark case. (AP PHOTO)

Fourteen Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, including an Australian dual citizen, have been found guilty in a landmark subversion trial that critics say could deal another blow to the city's rule of law and its reputation as a global financial hub.

The verdicts, as well as two acquittals, in Hong Kong's biggest trial against the democratic opposition come more than three years after police arrested 47 democrats in dawn raids at homes across the city. 

They were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under a national security law imposed by China.

Sentencing will come at a later date for those found guilty on Thursday, with prison terms ranging from three years to life for this offence. 

Thirty-one defendants pleaded guilty, and four of them have become prosecution witnesses.

Michael Pang arrives at West Kowloon Magistrates Courts in Hong Kong
Among the 14 convicted were former Hong Kong district councillor Michael Pang.

The US and some other countries have criticised the trial as politically motivated, calling for the accused to be immediately released. 

Diplomats from several countries including the US and the European Union attended the hearing.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said her government was "deeply concerned" with the verdicts and would continue to seek consular access to Gordon Ng, an Australian citizen and one of those convicted.

Security was tight around the High Court, with scores of police officers, some with dogs, and vehicles patrolling the area. Some supporters queued overnight to secure a spot.

The defendants are accused of a "vicious plot" to paralyse government in the former British colony and force the city's leader to resign through a preselection ballot in a July 2020 citywide election. 

The democrats maintain it was an unofficial attempt to select the strongest candidates in a bid to win a historic majority in Hong Kong's legislature.

Judges Andrew Chan, Alex Lee and Johnny Chan wrote that if the defendants had succeeded, it would have created "a constitutional crisis for Hong Kong" and led to "serious interfering in, disrupting or undermining the performance of duties and functions in accordance with the law by the (Hong Kong) government".

Several defendants, including activists Owen Chow, 27, and Gwyneth Ho, 33, appeared stony-faced in the dock as the verdicts were delivered to a packed courtroom.

Hong Kong pro-democracy barrister Lawrence Lau
Barrister Lawrence Lau was one of two defendants acquitted by the court.

Those convicted also include former democratic MPs Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting and Helena Wong, and former district councillor Michael Pang.

It was not yet clear whether any would appeal.

Leung, 68, is the oldest defendant.

"Although he might not be well emotionally and still not yet adapted to prison life... he always told me that he's innocent," Leung's wife, Chan Po-ying, told Reuters.

Acquitted were barrister Lawrence Lau and social worker Lee Yue-shun.

"There are still other defendants in this case warranting our concern and even love," Lau said outside the court. 

The prosecution in the afternoon applied to appeal the two acquittals.

Mass pro-democracy protests erupted in Hong Kong in 2019 against Beijing's plans for legislation that democrats argued infringed on freedoms guaranteed when Hong Kong returned to China's control in 1997.

Protesters against the Hong Kong national security in 2019
Mass pro-democracy protests that erupted in 2019 led to a sweeping national security law.

Beijing in 2020 imposed the sweeping national security law that led to a spate of arrests of democratic campaigners as well as the closures of liberal media outlets and NGOs. 

Hong Kong's democratic opposition had sought for decades to pressure Beijing to allow full democracy in the city.

Once-lively street marches, demonstrations and vigils have essentially ceased amid intense policing.

"This unprecedented mass conviction is the most ruthless illustration yet of how Hong Kong's national security law is weaponised to silence dissent," Amnesty International's China director, Sarah Brooks, said in a statement.

"It represents a near-total purge of the political opposition."

Beijing says the national security laws have brought stability to Hong Kong and that human rights are respected.

Most of the accused have been detained since February 28, 2021, and went through marathon bail hearings.

Those who have pleaded guilty include former law scholar Benny Tai, whom the prosecution called a "mastermind" of the "conspiracy", and activist Joshua Wong.

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store