Owen Chow Ka-shing, one of the 47 pro-democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the national security law, arrives at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts building, in Hong Kong, China November 29, 2021.
On the first day of closing submissions, one of the handpicked national security judges, Andrew Chan, said a verdict would "tentatively" come in three to four months, with 10 days set aside for closing submissions.
Beijing says the national security law brought stability to the city after monthslong pro-democracy protests in 2019.
"Communication with the public is much easier, (it's) easy to manipulate those means in order to endanger national security," he added.
Thirty-one of the 47 charged have pleaded guilty - which could qualify them for reduced sentences.
Persons:
Owen Chow Ka, Lam, Andrew Chan, Hong, Jonathan Man, Man, Gwyneth Ho, Owen Chow, Gordon Ng, Leung Kwok, Helena Wong, Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Gerry Doyle
Organizations:
REUTERS, Hong, Thomson
Locations:
Kowloon, Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, United States, Beijing