Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s High Court sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to prison terms ranging from 4 to 10 years on Tuesday, following a historic national security trial that has drawn sharp international criticism and dealt a severe blow to the city’s pro-democracy movement. The case has provoked condemnation from countries including the United States, which labeled the trial as "politically motivated."

The activists were among 47 individuals arrested in 2021 under a Beijing-imposed national security law. They were charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for organizing an unofficial "primary election" in 2020, which prosecutors argued was a plot to disrupt government operations. The law carries sentences of up to life imprisonment.

Benny Tai, a former legal scholar described as the “mastermind” behind the election plan, received the harshest sentence—10 years in prison. Australian citizen Gordon Ng, along with activists Owen Chow and Gwyneth Ho, were among those convicted after a 118-day trial. Fourteen were found guilty, while 31 pleaded guilty to the charges. Two were acquitted.

Prosecutors claimed the activists sought to paralyze the government through disruptive tactics if elected. However, critics argue the case reflects a broader crackdown on civil liberties under the national security law, introduced in 2020 following mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. Western governments, including the U.S., have condemned the sentencing. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called for an end to the suppression of freedoms in Hong Kong, while Taiwan’s presidential office reaffirmed solidarity with Hong Kong’s democratic aspirations.

The court cited the organized nature of the actions, the potential harm, and the number of participants in determining the sentences. Judges dismissed arguments for leniency based on the scheme’s alleged improbability of success, stating subversion efforts inherently involve hurdles.

Despite receiving sentence reductions for guilty pleas, several defendants’ families expressed anguish. Hendrick Lui’s mother protested her son’s imprisonment, declaring, “He’s a good person … not a political prisoner.”

Public interest in the trial remained high, with hundreds gathering outside the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court in the rain, under tight police surveillance. Supporters like Margaret, who queued for days to witness the proceedings, said, “They need to know they still have public support.”

The trial’s outcome, which critics say undermines Hong Kong’s reputation as a global financial hub, coincides with efforts by the city’s government to attract international business. The U.S. and other nations have called for the release of the activists, framing the case as an attack on Hong Kong’s autonomy, rule of law, and freedoms.