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Hong Kong Prosecutors Charge 47 With Subversion, Supporters Rally Outside Bail Hearing
Posted by John Chan | Mar 1, 2021
In an orchestrated spectacle seemingly timed to coordinate with leaders in Beijing, 47 prominent pro-democracy supporters including very nearly every member of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp were crammed into a West Kowloon courtroom on Monday, March 1 for a bail hearing. They were charged the day prior with subversion under the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL) for running in an informal primary election in July 2020, in which more than 600,000 Hong Kong people voted. If ultimately convicted, they face up to life in prison.
After adjourning for several hours when it emerged that multiple defendants were denied access to their lawyers, Monday’s hearing continued for more than ten hours without reaching a conclusion. Just before 2 a.m. it was adjourned for nine hours after one defendant fainted, and three more were sent to the emergency room after collaps
Mon 1 Mar 2021 00.53 EST
Last modified on Mon 1 Mar 2021 00.56 EST
On Sunday, 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy figures were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion over accusations they organised unofficial primary elections aiming to “paralyse” the government by winning a majority and blocking legislation. The election was ultimately postponed for a year, purportedly because of the pandemic. All face terms of up to life in prison if convicted. Before they reported to police stations across the city to be detained, some sent messages to their supporters about justice, hope and endurance.
Here are some of their messages, translated and compiled by independent researcher Eliot Chen:
HONG
KONG: About a thousand police officers were deployed this morning to arrest 53 pro-democracy advocates under Hong Kong’s new national security law, the National Security Department announced.
Those arrested are accused of “subversion” for allegedly trying to paralyse government activity and to force Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam to resign.
All 53 took part or helped organise primary elections for the pro-democracy camp in July when some 600,000 Hong Kongers voted to choose candidates for Hong Kong’s Legislative Council (LegCo).
Shortly after that, Lam decided to postpone the elections – scheduled for 6 September – by a year because of the pandemic emergency.
NowTV cited sources as saying that the
arrests for alleged subversion came after candidates made an election pledge to veto government budgets.
Former lawmakers Alvin Yeung, Andrew Wan, Au Nok-hin, Claudia Mo, Eddie Chu, Gary Fan, Helena Wong, James To, Jeremy Tam, Kwok Ka-ki, Lam Cheuk Ting, Raymond Chan, Roy Kwong and Wu Chi-wai were among those arrested, according to social media posts.
Organiser of the primaries Benny Tai was also detained alongside district councillors: Andrew Chiu, Andy Chui, Ben Chung, Clarisse Yeung, Fergus Leung, Kalvin Ho, Kinda Li, Lawrence Lau, Lee Yue-shun, Lester Shum, Michael Pang, Ng Kin-wai, Ricky Or, Roy Tam, Sam Cheung, Shun Lee, Sze Tak-loy, Tat Cheng, Tiffany Yuen and Henry Wong Pak-yu.