Hong Kong court convicts 14 democracy activists in 'HK47' security case

Two ex-district councilors acquitted; others could face life in prison for unofficial primaries

20240530 HK47 verdict day one 1.jpg

Police officers guard the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court ahead of a landmark verdict in the city's largest national security case on May 30. (Photo by Kensaku Ihara) 

KENJI KAWASE and PEGGY YE, Nikkei staff writers

HONG KONG -- A Hong Kong court on Thursday convicted 14 of 16 defendants in the city's largest national security case.

The defendants, a group of prominent pro-democracy activists, had pleaded not guilty to "conspiracy to commit subversion" in an alleged breach of the strict national security law Beijing forced upon the city in June 2020. The city's high court acquitted two former district councilors, Lawrence Lau Wai-chung and Lee Yue-shun, prompting an immediate appeal application by the justice department.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.