Hong Kong Court Sentences 45 Pro-Democracy Activists

Hong Kong's High Court sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to prison terms of four to ten years under the 2020 National Security Law, marking the largest trial since its implementation. The defendants, including notable figures like Benny Tai and Joshua Wong, were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion following their involvement in an unofficial primary election aimed at gaining a legislative majority to challenge the pro-Beijing government. The court deemed the activists' plans a threat to the authority of the Hong Kong government, which has been under intensified scrutiny for suppressing dissent since the large-scale protests in 2019. The sentences reflect a broader crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, with international criticism labeling the arrests as politically motivated. Amid these developments, China's foreign ministry defended the law, asserting that illegal activities cannot be justified in the name of democracy. The proceedings have sparked concerns regarding the erosion of judicial independence and the rule of law in the region.