Real-time updates on the case of 47 people | 45 defendants were convicted and sentenced today. Citizens queued up all night in the rain. There are only 5 public seats in the main court – Court Online The Witness
On November 19, 45 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong were sentenced for “conspiracy to subvert state power” at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts. The case marks the first instance of subversion of state power faced in Hong Kong. By 6 a.m. on the sentencing day, over 200 people were lined up outside the court, waiting for public donations. Among them was Li Yuxin, who had been found not guilty and attended the hearing to witness the proceedings.
The court assigned three sentencing categories: “ringleader,” “active participation,” and “other participation.” The minimum sentences range from 3 to 10 years in prison, depending on the role of the defendant. Some defendants may receive reduced sentences by pleading guilty and becoming prosecution witnesses. Sentences ranged from 70 days to over 3 years and 8 months.
Sentencing Results:
- D1 Dai Yaoting: 10 years
- D2 Ngau Noxuan: 6 years and 9 months
- D3 Zhao Jiaxian: 7 years
- D4 Zhong Jinlin: 6 years and 1 month
- D5 Wu Zhengheng: 7 years and 3 months
- D6 Yuan Jiawei: 4 years and 3 months
- D35 Yang Yueqiao: 5 years and 1 month
- D7 Liang Huangwei: 4 years and 11 months
- D8 Zheng Dahong: 6 years and 6 months
- D9 Xu Zihui: 4 years and 2 months
- D10 Yang Xueying: 6 years and 6 months
- D11 Peng Zhuoqi: 6 years and 6 months
- D12 Cen Zijie: 4 years and 3 months
- D13 Mao Mengjing: 4 years and 2 months
- D14 He Qiming: 6 years and 7 months
- D15 Feng Dajun: 4 years and 5 months
- D17 Huang Biyun: 6 years and 6 months
- D18 Liu Zefeng: 4 years and 5 months
- D19 Joshua Wong: 4 years and 8 months
- D20 Tan Wenhao: 4 years and 2 months
- D21 Li Jiada: 4 years and 3 months
- D22 Tan Dezhi: 4 years and 5 months
- D23 Hu Zhiwei: 4 years and 5 months
- D24 Shi Delai: 6 years and 7 months
- D25 Zhu Kaidi: 4 years and 5 months
- D26 Zhang Kesen: 4 years and 11 months
- D27 Huang Ziyue: 4 years and 5 months
- D28 Wu Jianwei: 5 years and 7 months
- D29 Yin Zhaojian: 4 years and 8 months
- D30 Guo Jiaqi: 4 years and 2 months
- D31 Wu Miner: 4 years and 5 months
- D32 Tan Kaibang: 4 years and 3 months
- D33 He Guilan: 7 years
- D34 Liu Yunkang: 4 years and 5 months
- D35 Yang Yueqiao: 5 years and 1 month
- D36 Chen Zhiquan: 6 years and 6 months
- D37 Zou Jiacheng: 7 years and 9 months
- D38 Lin Zhuoting: 6 years and 9 months
- D39 Fan Guowei: 4 years and 2 months
- D40 Lu Zhiheng: 4 years and 3 months
- D41 Liang Guoxiong: 6 years and 9 months
- D42 Lin Jingnan: 5 years and 2 months
- D43 Ke Yaolin: 6 years and 7 months
- D44 Cen Aohui: 6 months
- D45 Wang Baiyu: 4 years and 3 months
- D47 Yu Huiming: 6 months
Family and friends reacted differently to the sentences. Liu Yunkang’s girlfriend felt calm, stating that the sentence was not as severe as expected. In contrast, friends of Wu Zhengheng said the sentence was worse than anticipated, describing it as heavy. Others, like Liang Huangwei’s relatives, thought the outcome was better than feared.
The case stems from a primary election organized by pro-democracy groups in July 2020. The National Security Police arrested 55 individuals in early January 2021, leading to this trial of 47, with charges of conspiracy to subvert state power. Out of the 47, 31 pleaded guilty, while 14 faced trial and subsequent sentences.
The trial’s conclusion highlights significant political implications for Hong Kong. Public reception and international attention continue to affect views on these prosecutions.