A Hong Kong court has sentenced 12 individuals to terms of up to nearly seven years for their roles in storming the city’s legislature during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. These protests, which began in opposition to a proposed extradition bill, rapidly expanded into a broader movement calling for more democratic freedoms. The incident of breaching the legislative council, a significant event during the protests, occurred on the 22nd anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from Britain to China, marking a symbolic challenge against Chinese rule. This event was a catalyst for Beijing’s imposition of a national security law aimed at quelling dissent in Hong Kong.

Among those sentenced were actor Gregory Wong, former student leader Althea Suen, and political activists Ventus Lau and Owen Chow, with penalties ranging from 4 1/2 years to 6 years and 10 months in prison. The court underscored the deliberate challenge to the government’s authority, citing the protestors’ actions, which included vandalism and defacement of the legislative building. Some defendants, asserting that their actions were driven by a pursuit of democracy, made defiant speeches during the trial. This crackdown is part of a wider sweep by Hong Kong authorities following the unrest, resulting in over 10,000 arrests.

In a related development, three former organizers of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigil, Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan, and Tsui Hon-kwong, failed to overturn their convictions related to their commemorative activities. They were initially sentenced to 4 1/2 months in jail for their involvement with the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which disbanded following the enforcement of the national security law. The court rejected their appeal, citing sufficient evidence for their conviction despite arguments over redacted trial details and the denial of a fair trial.

These judicial rulings highlight the continued tension and the crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong under the national security law, reflecting ongoing issues surrounding governance, democracy, and civil liberties in the region.