SW News: Hong Kong is witnessing the beginning of the trial of the largest national security lawsuit as 47 people have been slapped with charges of “subversion”. They were indicted after they held an unofficial primary poll.

Among those facing trial are prominent pro-democracy activists Benny Tai and Joshua Wong. They have been in detention for two years. The hearing began on Monday at the West Kowloon Magistrate’s Court in the city and large crowds were seen on the premises. Among those gathered there, some of them carried banners that read “Crackdown is shameless”. Another banner read “Immediately release all political prisoners”.

According to the prosecution, the primary election, which was conducted to choose candidates to contest in a legislative poll, was nothing short of a “vicious plot” to subvert the government. It also accused the 47 people of plotting a “massive and well-organized scheme” to obtain a legislative majority and prevent the passage of laws. They aimed at ultimately toppling the chief executive appointed by Beijing.

On the other hand, those accused said they were only engaged in normal opposition politics. Out of the 47, 16 will go on trial because 31 others, including Wong and Tai, have pleaded guilty and they will be sentenced after the hearing. Twenty-six-year-old Wong had been jailed thrice for taking part in the 2019 protests and a prohibited candlelight vigil. Tai, 58, is a former professor at the University of Hong Kong. Also facing trial is former journalist Gwyneth Ho, 26, who covered the 2019 Yuen Long attack on protesters.

It was in July 2020 that the primary election was held. It occurred just a few days after the controversial national security law was enforced by Beijing. As many as 600,000 voters took part in the primary which was declared illegal by the government. The Legislative Council polls slated to be held in September of that year were postponed with the official explanation being the pandemic.