Three Hong Kong activists who organized annual vigils to remember China’s 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown were sentenced on Friday to prison terms ranging from roughly 5 to 7 years. Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and Albert Ho were convicted of inciting subversion under a national security law imposed by Beijing. Lee received 7 years, Chow received 7 years and 3 months, and Ho received 5 years and 2 months. The three leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China had been held in custody since being charged in September 2021. The group’s slogan calling to ‘end one-party dictatorship’ was cited by the court as an intent to undermine the ruling Communist Party’s leadership. Defense lawyers argued the group did not use violence or illegal means, but judges noted the offenses occurred during a turbulent social atmosphere, heightening the risk to national security. Relatives and supporters stated that appeals would be filed and that the heavy sentences demonstrate a lack of free speech and criminalize peaceful demands for democracy in Hong Kong.
Source: npr.org
