Hong Kong nat. security police praise own investigation after 14 democrats convicted, EU raps prosecution
Hong Kong Free Press
The Hong Kong police national security unit praised its own “good-quality” investigation after 14 democrats were convicted on Thursday of subversion under the security law, while the European Union criticised what it called a “politically motivated prosecution.”
The unit’s head Chief Superintendent Steve Li welcomed the High Court verdict, which found 14 defendants guilty and cleared two. Another 31 defendants pleaded guilty earlier in the trial and are awaiting sentencing along with the 14 who were convicted.
The 47 were arrested and charged under the Beijing-imposed security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion” on February 28, 2021, over their roles in an opposition primary in July 2020 to pick candidates in the hopes of winning a majority in a legislative election expected later that year. Most have been in custody since then.
Prosecutors said the defendants pledged, if they won a majority in the Legislative Council, to indiscriminately veto government legislation with the aim of forcing the chief executive to resign.
“We’ve done a good-quality investigation into the case as 45 out of 47 were convicted – some pleaded guilty while some [were convicted] after trial,” Li said in Cantonese when he met the press on Thursday.
“According to the court’s judgement, you could see this is a very serious crime. While [the 14 convicted defendants] had different roles [in the primary election]… they were all entirely lawless and flouting the law. “
Concerning the two pro-democracy figures who were acquitted, the Department of Justice (DoJ) plans to appeal against the verdict. Li said the court approved an application by the justice secretary to extend bail conditions for the pair.
Hong Kong amended the Criminal Procedure Ordinance last year, allowing a defendant to be detained in custody or to have their bail conditions extended if the DoJ intends to appeal their acquittal.
The European Union said in a statement that the case involving the 47 democrats was “politically motivated.”
“The EU is deeply concerned about the politically motivated prosecution of the 47 pro-democracy advocates, the prolonged pre-trial detention and the denial of bail for a majority of the defendants, undermining confidence in the rule of law as enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law,” it said.
“The case also puts into question Hong Kong’s commitment to openness and pluralism, which have been cornerstones of the city’s attractiveness as an international commercial and financial centre.”
The EU criticised what it called “a further deterioration of fundamental freedoms and democratic participation in Hong Kong.”
Rights NGO Amnesty International also hit out at the judgement.
“This unprecedented mass conviction is the most ruthless illustration yet of how Hong Kong’s National Security Law is weaponised to silence dissent,” said its China director Sarah Brooks in a statement. “It represents a near-total purge of the political opposition and highlights the rapid disintegration of human rights in Hong Kong.”
‘Sad stories’
Security minister Chris Tang described the court case as a sad story for Hong Kong.
“There is no winner in this case. This is a very sad story, [that] some Hong Kong people are trying to conduct subversion of Hong Kong. It is good that we have been able to interdict their plot so the citizens will not suffer and Hong Kong will now resume to a normal state,” Tang told reporters.
Li said the primary election in 2020, during which some 600,000 people voted to select their preferred opposition candidates, was simply a “facade” in attempts to paralyse the government.
“[The democrats] were trying to secure over 35 places among the 70 places of the legislature, and then to indiscriminately veto the budget. Following this, the chief executive would have to dissolve the legislature,” Li said. “If the budget can’t be approved after re-election of the legislature, the chief executive has to resign – and that’s their goal, to paralyse the government.”
Answering a reporter’s question, Li said the case was not simply about elections. “The primary election constitutes just a small part [of the case]. It’s more about how they conspired to subvert state power,” he said.
Beijing inserted national security legislation directly into Hong Kong’s mini-constitution in June 2020 following a year of pro-democracy protests and unrest. It criminalised subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist acts – broadly defined to include disruption to transport and other infrastructure. The move gave police sweeping new powers and led to hundreds of arrests amid new legal precedents, while dozens of civil society groups disappeared. The authorities say it restored stability and peace to the city, rejecting criticism from trade partners, the UN and NGOs.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
