Hong Kong just found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of breaking a law imposed by China.
These activists, including former lawmakers and regular citizens, were accused of trying to “overthrow” the government by organizing an unofficial election.
The court said they would have caused chaos if they had been elected. Two others were acquitted, but the government plans to appeal.
This case is part of a bigger crackdown on dissent since 2019. The law used to convict them has sparked concerns about civil liberties in Hong Kong.
The BBC reports that the activists’ guilty pleas might have been a pragmatic move to lessen their punishment, given the slim chance of a fair trial.
This verdict essentially wipes out the political opposition in Hong Kong. Many activists are now in exile, feeling guilty for leaving their friends behind.
The source of this information is the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c100mjqrm6zo