In 2021, 47 prominent democrats were arrested and charged under the security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion,” after they organised primaries in a bid to win the 2020 legislative election. They are accused of planning to use legislative powers to indiscriminately veto bills, whilst forcing the chief executive’s resignation and a government shutdown. Most were detained for almost two years awaiting trial.
16 pleaded not guilty whist 31 pleaded guilty – of those, four are acting as witnesses for the prosecution against their peers during the 90-day trial. Critics say the case is a political prosecution exemplifying the crackdown on dissent, whilst the government has claimed the 47 sought to “organise, plan, implement, or participate in” subversion.The scholars, lawmakers, activists and a journalistface three hand-picked judges, with no jury, and could be jailed for life.
Chairperson Lo Kin-hei said he believed the string of restaurant cancellations was no coincidence, and that there were people behind the scenes giving the businesses pressure.
The prosecution and defence teams have been given around four months to prepare their closing submissions in the high-profile case concerning an alleged conspiracy to commit subversion.
“But even though I said while campaigning that I would vote down all bills, that does not mean I would not have looked at their content,” Winnie Yu, the former chairperson of the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance, said.