Hong Kong charges dozens of democracy supporters
HONG KONG — Hong Kong authorities charged dozens of pro-democracy figures Sunday with violating the Chinese territory’s harsh new national security law, the latest blow to the dwindling hopes for democracy in the former British colony.
It was the most forceful use yet of the wide-ranging security law, which has cemented Communist Party control over a territory long known for its individual freedoms, independent court system and rule of law.
Before Sunday, only a handful of people had been formally charged with violating the security law, although about 100 have been arrested on suspicion of doing so. Those convicted of violating the law can be sentenced to life in prison.
Police said that each of the 47 people had been charged with a single count of “conspiracy to commit subversion.” They include Benny Tai, a former University of Hong Kong law professor and leading strategist for the pro-democracy camp.
The charges filed Sunday are the latest escalation in the Chinese government’s efforts to bring Hong Kong firmly under control.
The 47 charged Sunday were among 55 who were arrested in January and then released on bail as police continued their investigation. A few of those arrested in January were not charged Sunday, including John Clancey, 79, an American human rights lawyer and former priest who has lived in Hong Kong since the 1960s.
“Most people are ready to sacrifice when they see someone in need,” Clancey said, standing outside a police station before a bail appointment. “I think we must maintain the positive view the Hong Kong people have had for so many years of being able to build a better society based on human rights and working for democracy.”
Those charged will be arraigned Monday at a courthouse in the West Kowloon area, where another trial of pro-democracy activists is continuing.