Security tight while crowds gather outdoors Hong Kong courtroom for subversion hearing
01 March, 2021
About 1,000 persons gathered outside a Hong Kong court on Monday (Mar 1) prior to the hearing for 47 activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion, as authorities intensify a crackdown beneath the city's national security law.
The activists are accused of organising and taking part in an unofficial key poll last July targeted at looking for the strongest candidates for a legislative council election that the federal government later on postponed, citing the coronavirus.
Authorities said the informal poll was part of a plan to "overthrow" the federal government, further raising alarm that Hong Kong has taken a good swift authoritarian turn.
"Here is the most ridiculous arrest found in the annals of Hong Kong," said Herbert Chow, 57, who was queuing beyond your court and wearing a good black face mask. "But I have confidence in our judicial system to restore justice. It’s the previous line of defence."
The activists - 39 men and eight women aged 23 to 64 - were charged on Sunday beneath the national security regulation, which punishes what China broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.
Security was first tight, with an increase of than 100 cops deployed seeing that supporters gathered beyond your West Kowloon court in another of the most significant rallies because the coronavirus outbreak.
The queue to enter the court stretched several hundred metres, practically reaching around the entire block.
Some chanted: "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our moments" and "Combat for freedom, stand with Hong Kong", common slogans during anti-federal government protests that roiled the city in 2019.
Others raised the three-finger salute that has been the symbol of protest against authoritarian guideline in Myanmar.
'FULL FAITH'
Several overseas diplomats also queued. Jonathan Williams, a British diplomat at the UK consulate in the city, said: "It’s obvious that the use of the national security regulation is certainly going much broader than the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities promised."
He added, however, that the UK government had "whole faith found in the independent judiciary", to handle the defendants fairly and impartially without political pressure.
As crowds swelled beyond your court building, some held up large yellow banners that said: "Release all political prisoners now."
Authorities experience said that campaigning to gain many in Hong Kong's 70-seat Legislative Council, with the goal of blocking government proposals to ramp up pressure for democratic reforms, could possibly be seen as subversive.
Among those charged were the organiser of the principal election and former law professor Benny Tai, together with prominent activists Lester Shum, Joshua Wong and Owen Chow.
The charges will be the most recent blow to the city's pro-democracy movement. Because the secureness legislation was imposed on the town last June, some elected legislators have been disqualified, scores of activists arrested and others contain fled overseas.
The crackdown on dissent comes as Chinese officials prepare to unveil electoral reforms which will probably further diminish the role and influence of opposition forces in public office.
As Beijing consolidates its keep over Hong Kong, concern is installation in the West over freedoms promised to the former British colony when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and which underpin its purpose as a worldwide financial centre.
US Secretary of Point out Antony Blinken needed the 47 to be released immediately.
"Political participation and freedom of expression should not be crimes," Blinken stated on Twitter. "The US stands with the persons of Hong Kong."
On Sunday, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab explained the charges as "deeply disturbing".
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