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Hong Kong activist Chow Hang-tung has accused authorities of effectively criminalising democratic aspirations after a court convicted her and two fellow pro-democracy figures under Beijing's national security legislation, as reported by Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP).
According to HKFP, Chow, former leader of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was convicted alongside veteran activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Albert Ho of inciting subversion under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. Rights organisations and the United Nations have criticised the convictions, while Hong Kong authorities have welcomed the ruling. The three appeared before a panel of national security judges at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building for a mitigation hearing. The court said sentencing is expected within two weeks. Chow has been detained for nearly four years, while Lee has also spent almost four years in custody, and Ho has been remanded for about three and a half years. Representing herself as a barrister, Chow attempted to read her mitigation statement but was stopped by High Court judge Alex Lee. Referring to the court's 206-page judgement, she argued that its outcome effectively meant "pursuing democracy is a crime". Chow criticised the political system imposed by Beijing, saying it was unacceptable for a political party to claim exclusive authority, present itself as representing the people and demand that citizens uphold its rule. The judge interrupted her, telling her she could make such arguments on another occasion. Chow continued by warning that those who believe mainland China should move away from one-party rule now had little room to express that view, as highlighted by HKFP. She argued that under what she called this version of "law", merely holding such political beliefs could be treated as unlawful. Lawyer Erik Shum requested a 20-25% reduction in Ho's sentence after his guilty plea. He stated that the extent of any actual destruction caused by alleged incitement should be an important sentencing consideration, as reported by HKFP. (ANI)
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