Hong Kong 47: heavy police presence planned as court to rule on 16 opposition figures over subversion charges, plot to topple then chief executive

Group is among 47 people prosecuted for what Beijing calls a ‘blatant challenge’ to the law after estimated 610,000 voted in July 2020 to pick candidates for Legco election

Mass arrest and prosecution in 2021 triggered backlash from West, with US sanctioning six Beijing and Hong Kong officials

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A group of 16 opposition politicians and activists are among 47 people prosecuted for what Beijing called a “blatant challenge” to the law following a July 2020 poll. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:00pm, 29 May 2024Updated: 1:13am, 31 May 2024

Three Hong Kong judges will announce on Thursday amid a heavy police presence whether 16 opposition politicians and activists have breached the national security law by conspiring to subvert state power through their participation in an unofficial legislative primary election four years ago.

The 16 accused were among 47 people prosecuted for what Beijing called a “blatant challenge” to the law after an estimated 610,000 voters cast their ballot in July 2020 to pick their ideal candidates for the Legislative Council election initially scheduled that year.

A source familiar with the matter told the Post that hundreds of officers, including national security police, would be stationed outside West Kowloon Court. The police tactical unit, traffic police, crime wing officers and public relations officers would also be present alongside the force’s vehicles.