By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-11-19 13:08:33 | Updated at 2024-11-19 15:27:27
2 hours ago
Four former Hong Kong lawmakers found guilty in a landmark national security trial, including Claudia Mo Man-ching, will be released in about six months’ time as they have already spent nearly four years in custody.
Three judges ended the city’s largest and longest-running trial under the Beijing-decreed national security law on Tuesday by jailing 45 of the 47 activists prosecuted over their roles in an unofficial legislative “primary” election that was part of a plot to bring down the government.
Defendants and the government still have a chance to appeal.
The High Court earlier found the unofficial poll – held in 2020 and aimed at boosting the opposition camp’s prospect of winning a controlling majority in the legislature – was part of the bid to “undermine, destroy or overthrow” authorities.
Thirty-two of the defendants charged with conspiring to subvert state power have been remanded in custody since March 2021, spending nearly three years and nine months behind bars.
The 118-day trial for the 16 who chose to fight the charges only began in February 2023 and lasted 10 months.
