CROWDED COURTROOMS
The judges Andrew Chan, Alex Lee and Johnny Chan wrote that in passing sentence they considered factors including the degree of planning, the number of people involved, the potential harms generated, in a “holistic assessment” irrespective of whether the scheme would have taken place or not.
“In order to succeed, the organisers and participants might have hurdles to overcome, that however was expected in every subversion case where efforts were made to overthrow or paralyse a government. We therefore rejected the proposition that the Scheme was doomed to fail and that a lighter sentence should be imposed,” the judges wrote.
The judges, however, granted a one third reduction in the sentences for some who pleaded guilty, including Tai.
Hundreds of people had queued from the early hours outside the court, many holding umbrellas in light rain as they tried to secure a seat within the main courtroom and several spillover courts.
Authorities deployed a tight police presence outside the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court and for several blocks in the vicinity with police dogs, an armoured truck and vehicles with lights flashing. Some people were searched and questioned.
“I feel such an injustice needs witnessing,” said one woman who gave her name as Margaret and had been in the queue since Sunday afternoon. “I’ve long followed their case. They (the activists) need to know they still have public support.”
The ruling, which critics have said tarnishes Hong Kong’s role as a global financial hub, comes as the city is hosting an international financial summit to attract more business.
US President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee as secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has been a staunch critic of the trial and in an earlier open letter criticised the convictions of the 47 activists as evidence of the national security law’s “comprehensive assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms”.
Speaking outside the court building, Roxie Houge, the head of the US consulate in Hong Kong’s political section, said the US government condemned “the continuous prosecution of individuals here in Hong Kong who are expressing their political views … exercising their freedom of speech”.
Taiwan’s presidential office condemned the jailings, saying democracy and freedom are universal values and Taiwan will continue to stand in solidarity with Hong Kong.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/hong-kong-court-jails-all-45-activists-subversion-case-4755821
