HKFP Lens: Tears, long lines, and an arrest outside court, as 45 democrats jailed over primary election

Hong Kong Free Press

In 2021, 47 prominent Hong Kong democrats were arrested and charged under the 2020 security law with “conspiracy to commit subversion,” after they organised primaries in a bid to win the 2020 legislative election.

A woman cries outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, after 45 pro-democracy figures were jailed in Hong Kong's largest national security case. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A woman cries outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, after 45 pro-democracy figures were jailed in Hong Kong’s largest national security case. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

They were convicted over planning to use legislative powers to indiscriminately veto bills, ultimately forcing the chief executive’s resignation and a government shutdown. Most were detained for almost four years before being sentences.

A woman is taken aside by police officers after the sentencing of 45 democrats on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

The scholars, lawmakers, activists and a journalist faced three hand-picked judges, with no jury. Sixteen pleaded not guilty and 31 pleaded guilty – of those, four acted as witnesses for the prosecution against their peers during the 118-day trial.

Figo Chan of the League of Social Democrats leaves the West Kowloon Law Courts building on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Two were acquitted in May 2024. Dozens queued for five public seats in the courtroom, as 45 received jail terms of up to a decade on Tuesday. One arrest was made outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building after the hearing.

Critics said the case was a political prosecution exemplifying a crackdown on dissent. Authorities claimed the democrats sought to “organise, plan, implement, or participate in” subversion, and said they may appeal the sentences.

Jailed activist Hendrick Lui’s mother Elsa Wu holds up a sign that reads “Righteous people will live, villains must die” after the sentencing of 45 democrats on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A Correctional Services Vehicle leaves West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, after 45 pro-democracy figures were sentenced to up to 10 years in jail. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFp. — A Correctional Services Vehicle leaves West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, after 45 pro-democracy figures were sentenced to up to 10 years in jail. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. .

Hong Kong-based consular officials at the West Kowloon Law Courts building for the sentencing hearing of 45 democrats convicted of subversion under the national security law, on November 19. 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Hong Kong-based consular officials at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building for the sentencing hearing of 45 democrats convicted of subversion under the national security law, on November 19. 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Former lawmaker Kenneth Leung and Emily Lau of the Democratic Party arrives at the West Kowloon Law Courts on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Former lawmaker Kenneth Leung (left) and Emily Lau of the Democratic Party arrive at the West Kowloon Law Courts on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Emilia Wong, partner of detained activist Ventus Lau, at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

People queue outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong's largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People queue outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong’s largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

An armed police officer from the Counter Terrorism Response Unit outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong's largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — An armed police officer from the Counter Terrorism Response Unit outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong’s largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

People shelter from the wind and rain outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong's largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People shelter from the wind and rain outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong’s largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A Correctional Services Department van arrives at the West Kowloon Law Courts on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

People queued up outside the West Kowloon Law Courts for a seat for the sentencing hearing of 45 democrats, on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People queue up outside the West Kowloon Law Courts for a seat for the sentencing hearing of 45 democrats, on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Elsa Wu, who held up a sign reading “Righteous people will live, villains must die,” is taken into a police van on November 19, 2024. She was later arrested. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Cardinal Joseph Zen leaves the courthouse on November 19, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Ex-district councillor Lee Yue-shun, who was in May found not-guilty of conspiring to commit subversion, outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building in Hong Kong on November 19, 2024, for the sentencing of 45 democrats in the same case. Photo: Hans Tse/HKFP.

Lui Yuk-lin is searched by police outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong's largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — Activist Lui Yuk-lin is searched by police outside the West Kowloon Law Courts Building on November 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing hearing for 45 pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong’s largest national security case to date. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

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https://hongkongfp.com/2024/11/21/hkfp-lens-tears-long-lines-and-an-arrest-outside-court-as-45-democrats-jailed-over-primary-election/