45 pro-democracy activists sentenced to prison in the largest national security trial in Hong Kong

MADRID 19 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –

A Hong Kong court this Tuesday sentenced a total of 45 pro-democracy activists to sentences of up to ten years in prison for violating Beijing’s controversial National Security Law, which toughened penalties for treason and sedition in 2020, in which it has It was the largest trial in history for alleged violations of the law.

Those imprisoned are among the people known as the ‘Hong Kong 47’ – who were activists, legislators, campaigners and councilors – who were charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit subversion for their participation in the pre-election primaries held in 2020 before of the Hong Kong general elections.

The jurist Benny Tai has received the highest sentence, ten years in prison, having been considered the “mastermind” behind the conspiracy. He was originally given a 15-year sentence, but this was reduced to ten after judges took into account his guilty plea. “The only mitigation in the case was his early guilty plea,” the sentence reads.

Joshua Wong, one of the most visible faces of the 2019 protest movement, has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after receiving a one-third reduction for pleading guilty. The court has held that he had been an “active participant” in the primary plan and that he was not of “good character” due to his previous convictions, since he is in prison on charges related to the protests.

On the other hand, Australian-Hong Kong citizen Gordon Ng, who pleaded not guilty, has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison. Given this decision, Australia, through its Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has expressed its “serious concern.” “This is a very difficult moment for Ng, his family and his supporters. Our thoughts are with them after the sentencing,” he said.

It has also indicated that the Australian Government has intervened at senior levels in support of Ng’s best interests and well-being and has requested consular access. “We will continue to do so,” he added.

Since China passed the law, 291 people have been detained for “endangering national security”, according to data collected until December 2023. Of all of them, 174 have been charged and another 112 have been sentenced or are awaiting trial. to know the sentence.

It should be noted that last March the Hong Kong authorities presented a new national security law, which complements the previous one, classifying new crimes and toughening prison sentences against those who commit treason, sedition, subversion or sedition, a measure that many They consider it harmful to dissident voices and are bound to encounter harsh criticism from the opposition.