Hong Kong activists convicted of inciting subversion for Tiananmen vigil organization

Hong Kong authorities have secured a conviction against two prominent activists who organized annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, and Chow Hang-tung, 41, were found guilty of "incitement to subversion" by a Hong Kong court on August 21.

The court's ruling stated that the defendants "incited other persons to organise, plan, commit or participate in acts by unlawful means with a view to subverting the state power." This charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

Lee and Chow were known for their roles in organizing the annual candlelight vigils in Hong Kong, which paid tribute to the victims of the Chinese government's violent suppression of pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989. These gatherings were once the largest of their kind in the world.

Sentencing for Lee and Chow is scheduled for a later date. The convictions come amid a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong since the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, which has led to the arrests and prosecution of numerous pro-democracy figures.

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incited other persons to organise, plan, commit or participate in acts by unlawful means with a view to subverting the state power