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Hong Kong Activists Lee Cheuk-yan, Chow Hang-tung Convicted of Inciting Subversion; US Urges Release

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Former leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, were convicted of inciting subversion against state power.
  • The conviction stems from their roles in organizing activities that allegedly undermined China's political system.
  • A US official called for their immediate release, highlighting international concern over the verdict.

A Hong Kong court convicted former leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, of inciting subversion against state power on March 21. The verdict targets their involvement with the group, which was a prominent organizer of annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

Lee, the former chairman, and Chow, the former vice-chairperson, were found guilty of the charges. The conviction is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong following the 2019 pro-democracy protests and the imposition of a national security law by Beijing in 2020. The Hong Kong Alliance itself was dissolved in 2021 under pressure.

In response to the verdict, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Riley M. Bunch, urged the immediate release of Lee and Chow. The conviction and sentencing are expected to draw further international criticism regarding the erosion of freedoms and political space in Hong Kong.

The United States calls for the immediate release of Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung.

— Riley M. Bunch, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and LaborA U.S. official expressed concern and called for the release of the convicted individuals.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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