Fourteen Hong Kong democrats convicted in historic subversion trial | Global News

Fourteen Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have been found guilty in a landmark subversion trial, with two acquitted, in a case that has sparked international criticism and raised concerns about the city’s rule of law. The verdicts come more than three years after the arrest of 47 democrats in dawn raids across Hong Kong, charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under China’s national security law.

The sentencing for those found guilty will be determined at a later date, with potential prison terms ranging from three years to life. Thirty-one defendants pleaded guilty, with four becoming prosecution witnesses. The trial has drawn condemnation from the U.S. and other countries, who have called for the immediate release of the accused.

Critics argue that the trial is politically motivated, aimed at silencing dissent and undermining Hong Kong’s autonomy. Diplomats from various countries, including the U.S. and the European Union, attended the hearing, expressing concerns over the erosion of democratic freedoms in the city.

The defendants were accused of a “vicious plot” to destabilize the government and force the city’s leader to resign through a pre-selection ballot in a 2020 election. The judges described the alleged actions as a threat to Hong Kong’s constitutional order and governance.

The mass conviction has been described as a ruthless illustration of how the national security law is being used to suppress dissent and eliminate political opposition in Hong Kong. The crackdown on pro-democracy activists and the imposition of stringent laws have raised fears about the future of civil liberties in the city.

As the trial continues to unfold, the international community remains vigilant, calling for the protection of human rights and the preservation of democratic values in Hong Kong.