Hong Kong Court Denies Request to Halt Subversion Trial
On Monday, Hong Kong's High Court refused to stop the subversion trial of pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung. The trial also involves two other prominent democracy figures in Hong Kong.
Accusations and Background
Chow Hang-tung, 40, who was the vice-chair of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance for Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China, faces charges along with Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho. All three are accused of "inciting subversion of state power" under the national security law introduced by Beijing in 2020.
Significance of the Commemorations
For more than thirty years, the group organized annual candlelight vigils every June 4th in Victoria Park. These events honored the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown in Beijing. Once a symbol of freedom of expression in Hong Kong, these vigils have been banned since the national security law's enactment.
Defense Arguments and Court Ruling
The defense requested the charges be dropped, claiming the law was applied politically and violated basic rights guaranteed by Hong Kong's mini-constitution. The court dismissed this request and ruled the trial should proceed as usual.
This case exemplifies Beijing's crackdown on Hong Kong's democratic movement amid tightening restrictions on civil liberties in the former British colony.
It represents one of the most symbolic trials of the ongoing repression against pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong.
Author's summary: The court rejected demands to stop the trial of key Hong Kong democracy advocates accused under the national security law, underscoring the escalating crackdown on civil liberties.