The Verdict: Activists Found Guilty
Lee Cheuk‑yan (69) and Chow Hang‑tung (41) were convicted of inciting subversion for organising annual vigils that commemorated the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Their case follows a 2020 ban on such gatherings and the arrival of Hong Kong’s national security law.
A third former lawmaker, Albert Ho, 74, pleaded guilty in January, adding weight to the charges.
Why it Matters
- Law criminalises broad actions that “endanger national security” – critics say it stifles dissent.
- Hong Kong once allowed public memorials; a ban curbed public expression of memory for over a decade.
- Sentencing will come soon – maximum penalty 10 years.
- Amnesty International calls the law vague and over‑broad.
Next Steps
The court will meet again in July for sentencing, with the three defendants expected to face the bench. Their outcomes will be watched closely by activists worldwide.
