[REVISION HISTORY]

Subversion charges against activists in China and Hong Kong

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2026-08-23 02:13 UTC → 2026-08-23 03:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Legal actions involving charges of “inciting subversion of state power” have targeted activists and legal professionals in mainland China and Hong Kong. In mainland China, social activist Li Yuanfeng has been prosecuted by the Yiyang Intermediate People's Court. Li alleges that authorities have blocked defense lawyers from accessing case materials by classifying them as state secrets, despite Li’s assertion that his work regarding migrant worker rights and rural land issues is a matter of public interest. This follows the March 2026 sentencing of human rights lawyer Xie Yang, who received five years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” and “disturbing court order.” In Hong Kong, recent court rulings have expanded the convictions of those associated with the disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. While Lee Cheuk-yan and ~~Chow Hang-tung previously faced conviction, new verdicts have been reached for other members. Specifically, Lee Cheuk-yan and~~ Chu Hoi-tung were previously convicted of sedition and ~~subversion under the National Security Law following~~ subversion, a ~~24-day trial. Prosecutors argued that slogans used during~~ Hong Kong court has now convicted former Alliance leaders Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung of incitement to subversion. The court also found the Alliance itself guilty of the same charges. These convictions stem from the group's organization of annual candlelight vigils in Victoria Park ~~vigils, such as “end one-party dictatorship,” were intended~~ to commemorate the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Prosecutors argued the group sought to overthrow Communist Party ~~leadership. Additionally, two former colleagues of organizer Tang Ngok-kwan were convicted under the national security law~~ leadership by calling for ~~their roles in organizing vigils. These individuals~~ an end to one-party rule. Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung face a maximum prison sentence of 10 ~~years in prison. While the government maintains these actions are necessary~~ years. The United States has called for ~~stability, international human rights groups have criticized~~ the ~~verdicts, characterizing the trials as part~~ immediate release of ~~a campaign to erase~~ the ~~legacy of~~ defendants, while the ~~1989 Tiananmen Square protests.~~ European Union stated the convictions confirm a “continuing deterioration of freedoms in Hong Kong.” The Hong Kong government has dismissed these criticisms as “baseless slanders.”

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