Hong Kong national security trial: prosecutors accuse 47 opposition figures of plotting to turn legislature into ‘lethal constitutional weapon’ against Beijing

Prosecution alleges 47 defendants plotted to turn legislature into ‘lethal constitutional weapon’ against Beijing by organising and taking part in unofficial primary election

High-profile case has garnered widespread attention both locally and overseas with police on high alert as trial opened

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Police throw a security blanket over the court building. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 11:48am, 6 Feb 2023Updated: 11:07pm, 6 Feb 2023

Prosecutors have accused 47 opposition figures of plotting to turn Hong Kong’s legislature into a “lethal constitutional weapon” against Beijing by organising and participating in an unofficial primary election in 2020, ignoring warnings from central authorities that it ran afoul of the national security law.

The prosecutors on Monday began explaining their basis for accusing the 47 of conspiracy to commit subversion, in a high-profile case which has garnered widespread attention both locally and overseas and put police on high alert as the trial opened in West Kowloon Court.

A member of the League of Social Democrats is escorted away by police. Photo: Jonathan Wong

In the city’s largest national security case to date, 16 of the 47, who include activists, politicians and former lawmakers, pleaded not guilty on the first day of their estimated 90-day trial. Two others switched from previously intending to plead not guilty and admitted the charge on the same day.

“I failed to subvert the totalitarian regime and I plead guilty,” said Ng Kin-wai, one of the two.