The High Court of Hong Kong has handed down a verdict sentencing 45 leading opposition figures to prison terms of up to 10 years. This was reported by the Reuters, according to UNN.
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The decision caused a wide international outcry and was another step in the crackdown on democracy in Asia's financial center. Critics believe that the verdict is a serious blow to the rule of law and civil liberties that Hong Kong relies on as an important element of its international reputation.
The people convicted on Tuesday were among the leaders of the democracy movement in Hong Kong and participated in peaceful protests aimed at protecting the region's autonomy and against the influence of the Chinese authorities. The trials against them began after the introduction of new laws in 2020 restricting political freedoms in the city. The convicted individuals were accused of "undermining state security" by organizing or participating in illegal protests and other forms of political activity that did not meet the new standards set by China.
The verdict was another stage in the escalation of repression in Hong Kong, where several opposition parties and civil society organizations have been banned or restricted in recent years. International observers and human rights activists believe that these actions indicate Beijing's tightening control over the former British protectorate and the actual elimination of democratic institutions in Hong Kong.