The mitigation phase of Hong Kong’s largest national security trial against the democratic opposition has begun, with 47 defendants facing potential life sentences. The trial stems from their participation in an unofficial poll to select legislative election candidates, resulting in charges of “conspiracy to commit subversion” under China’s national security law.
Criticism from countries like Britain, the US, and Australia has been directed at the use of national security laws to suppress dissent and limit freedoms. While Chinese and Hong Kong authorities defend the laws as essential for maintaining stability, many of the defendants have been denied bail for over three years, deviating from common law principles.
The 45 convicted democrats will present their mitigation pleas over the next six weeks, facing potential sentences ranging from three years to life imprisonment. Among the first to plead for mitigation was former law professor Benny Tai, who was described as the mastermind behind the primary election. Australian-Hong Kong dual citizen Gordon Ng also pleaded not guilty in his mitigation presentation.