Hong Kong activists convicted of subversion over Tiananmen vigils

A Hong Kong court has convicted Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung of subversion charges related to their role in organising candlelit vigils marking the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. The convictions represent the latest action against pro-democracy figures in the city since the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020.

The annual vigils, which have been held in Hong Kong for decades, typically draw thousands of participants who gather to remember the lives lost when Chinese military forces suppressed pro-democracy protests in Beijing. The court's decision to prosecute the activists over their organising activities reflects intensifying restrictions on public commemoration of the sensitive historical event.

Both activists face sentencing in the coming weeks, with potential sentences reaching 10 years in prison. The case underscores heightened security measures authorities have applied to activities deemed politically sensitive, particularly those involving criticism of the Chinese government or commemoration of events deemed sensitive by Beijing.

The convictions are part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong that has seen numerous pro-democracy figures arrested, charged, or convicted under national security legislation. Civil liberties organisations and international observers have raised concerns about the impact of such prosecutions on freedom of expression and assembly in the territory.