Hong Kong activists face sentencing after Tiananmen vigil conviction

Three former organizers of Hong Kong’s annual Tiananmen Square vigils returned to court for mitigation proceedings following their conviction for inciting subversion under the national security law. The activists, Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung, and Albert Ho, were leaders of the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.

During the hearing, Chow Hang-tung, a barrister who represented herself, argued that the judgment effectively criminalizes the pursuit of democracy. She stated that the law acts as a “euphemism for tyranny” and argued that holding beliefs regarding the end of one-party dictatorship should not be considered unlawful. Albert Ho had previously entered a guilty plea, while Lee and Chow had pleaded not guilty.

The court found that the group had encouraged supporters to seek to “end one-party dictatorship” through unlawful means. The defendants face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. A judge indicated that sentencing is expected to occur within two weeks.