Twelve activists from Hong Kong contest their convictions in the significant ’47 democrats’ case.

On Monday, twelve activists in Hong Kong who support democracy appealed their convictions and prison sentences for subversion in a national security case that has highlighted Beijing’s continued suppression of dissent and attracted global criticism.

The case known as “47 democrats” arises from the arrest and charges against a group of activists for ‘conspiracy to commit subversion’ in early 2021. Ultimately, the court convicted 45 of the accused for orchestrating and conducting an unofficial primary election in July 2020, following widespread pro-democracy demonstrations that paralyzed the city. Prosecutors viewed the move as a “scheme” aimed at weakening the Hong Kong government.

Security was stringent around the West Kowloon law courts as numerous police officers, some accompanied by police dogs, monitored the area and periodically checked passers-by.  “I want to see all of them,” said an elderly man surnamed Wong who was among around 100 people queuing to get a public ticket for the hearing. “They’re not criminals.”

Diplomats from more than six nations were present for this recent phase of the legal drama that started with early morning police searches at the residences of prominent democrats in early 2021.

Several nations, including the United States, have denounced the matter as “politically driven” and are demanding the prompt release of the democrats who were sentenced in November to prison terms of up to ten years.

Authorities in Hong Kong and China, however, have upheld the autonomy of the judiciary and assert that no one is above the law, claiming that the democrats have undergone a fair trial.

Out of the 16 democrats who entered not guilty pleas during the trial, 11 have chosen to appeal, among them Gordon Ng, Gwyneth Ho, and Owen Chow, all of whom received sentences exceeding seven years. Another Democrat, Prince Wong, who admitted guilt, is contesting her sentence.

One defendant, Michael Pang, chose to retract his application on Monday. The appeals are anticipated to last approximately 10 days and will also encompass a government appeal regarding the acquittal of one of the Democrats, attorney Lawrence Lau.

An extended crackdown under a national security law imposed by China has led to arrests and the shutting down of liberal media organizations and civil society groups. The final two pro-democracy parties, the Democratic Party and the League of Social Democrats, dissolved this year due to increasing pressures. The case is among the most significant to date under a 2020 national security law implemented by China following widespread pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.