Hong Kong 47: when will jailed activists in landmark national security trial be released?
Claudia Mo among four set to be released in six months, after spending nearly four years in custody, but others still face years behind bars
Four former Hong Kong lawmakers found guilty in a landmark national security trial, including Claudia Mo Man-ching, will be released in about six months’ time as they have already spent nearly four years in custody.
Three judges ended the city’s largest and longest-running trial under the Beijing-decreed national security law on Tuesday by jailing 45 of the 47 activists prosecuted over their roles in an unofficial legislative “primary” election that was part of a plot to bring down the government.
Defendants and the government still have a chance to appeal.
The High Court earlier found the unofficial poll – held in 2020 and aimed at boosting the opposition camp’s prospect of winning a controlling majority in the legislature – was part of the bid to “undermine, destroy or overthrow” authorities.
Thirty-two of the defendants charged with conspiring to subvert state power have been remanded in custody since March 2021, spending nearly three years and nine months behind bars.
The 118-day trial for the 16 who chose to fight the charges only began in February 2023 and lasted 10 months.
