HONG KONG — A Hong Kong court sentenced dozens of leading pro-democracy figures to up to 10 years prison Tuesday in the single largest trial under a national security law that critics say has been used to all but eliminate political dissent in the Chinese territory.
Lawyers for the defendants have argued that such action was within the bounds of Hong Kong law.
In March, Hong Kong’s opposition-free legislature also enacted local national security legislation.
Among the 47 are “second-tier pan-democrats” who were previously active members of the Hong Kong legislature, Burns said.
Hong Kong officials said last month that there was no time limit for prosecuting the cases, noting that it takes time to gather evidence.
Persons:
Benny Tai, Tai, Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s, Hong, Maya Wang, ”, Tai —, John Burns, Burns, Jimmy Lai, “, Jonathan Sumption, ” Sumption, Kong’s, of
Organizations:
University of Hong Kong, Hong, Authorities, Human Rights, University of Hong, Apple Daily, Pew Research Center, Financial
Locations:
HONG KONG, Hong Kong, Beijing, British, U.S, China, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s