On Monday, February 6, 2023, the trial for 16 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong began. Two years earlier, they had been accused of “conspiracy to commit subversion,” and arrested in response to the extensive and occasionally violent protests that the amendments to China’s national security regulations, generated in the city. If found guilty, the activists may receive a life sentence. The gang had organized an unauthorized primary to choose opposition candidates the previous year, before being detained in dawn raids in January 2021 and charged in March 2021.
To forward the demands of the protesters and perhaps force Hong Kong’s leader, John Lee Ka-chiu, to resign, the bloc sought to take control of the partially elected legislature of the city
Prosecutors say the unofficial political primary was part of a “vicious plot” to subvert the local government and bring what they called “mutual destruction” to it, by taking control of the assembly. Four of the 47 arrested will testify against the 16 now on trial.
The trial is expected to last for 90 days
