A group of 47 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong (HK 47) charged with “conspiracy to subvert state power” are back in court after almost two years. Among them, 16 defendants who have pleaded not guilty began their trial in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court (acting ad interim for the High Court) on Feb. 6. The trial is estimated to last 90 days.
The HK 47 primary election trial is the first case of “conspiracy to subvert state power” under the Hong Kong National Security Law. If convicted, there will be three levels of punishment. The “ringleader(s)” could face life imprisonment.
The 47 defendants appeared in court for the first time in early March 2021, and 13 of them have been released on bail to date. The remaining 34 were remanded, and as of the trial date, 32 of them had been detained for more than 700 days….