Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung were found guilty of inciting others to subvert state power under Hong Kong’s national security law. The 69-year-old lawmaker and 41-year-old lawyer were convicted based on their roles in organizing recurring memorial gatherings for the 1989 crackdown in Tiananmen Square. A third defendant, Albert Ho, had previously pleaded guilty in January. Both Lee and Chow face maximum sentences of 10 years, with sentencing scheduled for a later date.
Hong Kong had historically served as a rare location within Chinese territory where public commemorations of the 1989 crackdown could occur. Beginning in 2020, authorities prohibited these gatherings, initially citing pandemic-related measures, though they have not been allowed to resume. That same year marked the official implementation of the national security law, which expanded the range of activities deemed illegal under subversion and related charges. In mainland China, even indirect references to the 1989 events are restricted.
Lee and Chow held leadership positions in the Hong Kong Alliance, an organization that was established in May 1989 to support pro-democracy student demonstrations. The group subsequently advocated for official accountability regarding the crackdown, the release of political prisoners, and democratic reforms across three decades before being labeled a “toxic tumour” by Chinese authorities. Both leaders were charged in 2021 and have remained in custody since their arrests.
International human rights organizations have criticized the convictions. Amnesty International characterized the case as relying on “vague, overly broad and arbitrary definitions of ‘subversion'” and designated the defendants as prisoners of conscience. Human Rights Watch noted the case demonstrated how public expressions of mourning have become criminal offenses in the territory. The government has contended that the national security law is essential for maintaining stability, while critics assert it has diminished Hong Kong’s autonomy and fostered widespread apprehension among residents.
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