{"id":127692,"date":"2024-11-19T16:09:47","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T09:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=127692"},"modified":"2024-11-19T16:09:47","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T09:09:47","slug":"hong-kong-court-sentences-45-activists-in-biggest-national-security-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=127692","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong court sentences 45 activists in biggest national security case"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>HONG KONG (AP) \u2014 Forty-five ex-lawmakers and activists were sentenced to four to 10 years in prison Tuesday in <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/47-activists-explainer-national-security-hong-kong-3da0cf03e08624671740f763bd9d8dc2\">Hong Kong\u2019s biggest national security case<\/a><\/span> under <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-europe-business-5a7f50d5d5027fda34f9addeb883e809\">a Beijing-imposed law<\/a><\/span> that crushed a once-thriving pro-democracy movement. <\/p>\n<p>They were prosecuted under the 2020 national security law for their roles in an <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/c8f51e488f770197b9c363448b3233a4\">unofficial primary election<\/a><\/span>. Prosecutors said their aim was to paralyze Hong Kong\u2019s government and force the city\u2019s leader to resign by aiming to win a legislative majority and using it to block government budgets indiscriminately.<\/p>\n<p>The unofficial primary held in July 2020 drew 610,000 voters, and its winners had been expected to advance to the official election. Authorities postponed the official legislative election, however, citing public health risks during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-national-security-activists-benny-tai-d9fde97a0ab8035e04a63d45f2d79a29\">Legal scholar Benny Tai<\/a><\/span>, whom the judges called the mastermind, received the longest sentence of 10 years. The judges said the sentences had been reduced for defendants who said they were unaware the plan was unlawful.<\/p>\n<p>However, the court said the penalties were not reduced for Tai and former lawmaker Alvin Yeung because they are lawyers who were \u201cabsolutely adamant in pushing for the implementation of the Scheme.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-040000\"\/><\/p>\n<picture data-crop=\"imgEn-medium-nocrop\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1004113\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/800x533!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/f8608aa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1600x1066!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/5948a38\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/800x533!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/7c205a6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1600x1066!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/decbdeb\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/e900421\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 600px)\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8103286\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8adac3d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/8186a8f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/50257d2\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\"><source width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1f91f23\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d99c35d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1f91f23\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d99c35d\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397 2x\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/1f91f23\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/6000x4000+0+0\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fe1%2Fe5%2F25376341cddda684c056e5491f6a%2F9dd5c1e0314946e09d902adf04b7c397\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<div class=\"Figure-content-text\"><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">\n<p>FILE &#8211; A supporter holds a placard with the photos of some of the 47 pro-democracy defendants outside a court in Hong Kong, on July 8, 2021. (AP Photo\/Kin Cheung, File)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>In the judgment posted online, the judges wrote that Tai essentially \u201cadvocated for a revolution\u201d by publishing a series of articles over a period of months that traced his thinking, even though in a letter seeking a shorter sentence Tai said the steps were \u201cnever intended to be used as blueprint for any political action.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Two of the 47 original defendants <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-security-law-verdict-5b8e7ac1100342db642040985bc417b2\">were acquitted<\/a><\/span> earlier this year. The rest either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion. The judges said in their verdict that the activists\u2019 plans to effect change through the unofficial primary would have undermined the government\u2019s authority and created a constitutional crisis. <\/p>\n<p>The judges rejected the reasoning from some defendants that the scheme would never have materialized, stating that \u201call the participants had put in every endeavor to make it a success.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The judges highlighted that a great deal of time, resources and money were devoted to the organization of the primary election.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen the Primary Election took place on the 10 and 11 July, no one had remotely mentioned the fact that Primary Election was no more than an academic exercise and that the Scheme was absolutely unattainable,\u201d the judgment read. \u201cIn order to succeed, the organizers and participants might have hurdles to overcome, that however was expected in every subversion case where efforts were made to overthrow or paralyze a government.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Some of the defendants waved at their relatives in the courtroom after they were sentenced.<\/p>\n<p>Gwyneth Ho, a journalist-turned-activist who was jailed for seven years, said \u201cour true crime for Beijing is that we were not content with playing along in manipulated elections\u201d on her Facebook page. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe dared to confront the regime with the question: Will democracy ever be possible within such a structure? The answer was a complete crackdown on all fronts of society,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n<p>Chan Po-ying, wife of defendant Leung Kwok-hung, told reporters she wasn\u2019t shocked when she learned her husband received a jail term of six years and nine months. She said they were trying to use some of the rights granted by the city\u2019s mini-constitution to pressure those who are in power to address the will of the people.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is an unjust imprisonment. They shouldn\u2019t be kept in jail for one day,\u201d said Chan, also the chair of the League of Social Democrats, one of the city\u2019s remaining pro-democracy parties.<\/p>\n<p>Emilia Wong, the girlfriend of Ventus Lau, said his jail term was within her expectations. She said the sentencing was a \u201cmiddle phase\u201d of history and she could not see the end point at this moment, but she pledged to support Lau as best as she could.<\/p>\n<p>Philip Bowring, the husband of Claudia Mo, was relieved that the sentences were finally handed down. <\/p>\n<p>Observers said the trial illustrated how authorities suppressed dissent following <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/ap-top-news-laws-international-news-photography-hong-kong-f301c03e63f0e75d2e17104ad2c53f34\">huge anti-government protests in 2019<\/a><\/span>, alongside media crackdowns and reduced public choice in elections. The drastic changes reflect how Beijing\u2019s promise to retain the former British colony\u2019s civil liberties for 50 years when it returned to China in 1997 is increasingly threadbare, they said. <\/p>\n<p>Beijing and Hong Kong governments insisted the national security law was necessary for the city\u2019s stability. <\/p>\n<p>The sentencing <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-activists-sentencing-reaction-8072c53b68ed770fb1926f31f40a6a97\">drew criticism from foreign governments<\/a><\/span> and human rights organizations.<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Consulate in Hong Kong said the U.S. strongly condemned the sentences for the 45 pro-democracy advocates and former lawmakers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe defendants were aggressively prosecuted and jailed for peacefully participating in normal political activity protected under Hong Kong\u2019s Basic Law,\u201d the statement said, referring to the city\u2019s mini-constitution.<\/p>\n<p>In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told reporters no one should be allowed to use democracy as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and escape justice.<\/p>\n<p>Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang said in a news briefing that the sentences showed those committing national security crimes must be severely punished. <\/p>\n<p>The subversion case involved pro-democracy activists <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-prodemocracy-activists-sentencing-f2c36e5da3e974f54595447050280eee\">across the spectrum<\/a><\/span>. They include Tai, former student leader <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-joshua-wong-mitigation-47-activists-9fb5a5a97a44a2e23ef8d7fe09ee1977\">Joshua Wong<\/a><\/span> and former lawmakers. Wong was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail. Young activist Owen Chow was given the second-longest jail term, seven years and nine months. <\/p>\n<p>Most of them have already been detained for more than three and a half years before the sentencing. The separations <span class=\"LinkEnhancement\"><a class=\"Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement\" data-gtm-enhancement-style=\"LinkEnhancementA\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-47-activists-families-fe313c1a245f6b95b9fbb99a83b3ec36\">pained them and their families.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>More than 200 people stood in line in rain and winds Tuesday morning for a seat in the court, including one of the acquitted defendants, Lee Yue-shun. Lee said he hoped members of the public would show they care about the court case.<\/p>\n<div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-fullwidth=\"\">\n<div class=\"Enhancement-item\">\n<div class=\"ImageTwoUpEnhancement\">\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<picture data-crop=\"twoup-3x2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/fa93f7a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/e60be58\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 2x\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/213318a\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/40a0d5f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/066fb8f\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/940a162\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 2x\"><source width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0bec7fa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/345d5e6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0bec7fa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/345d5e6\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd 2x\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/0bec7fa\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F94%2Fce%2F36d71281ac450c47299ebae633cc%2F5de5077f126143638a541369c84602fd\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<p><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">People wait outside the West Kowloon Magistrates&#8217; Courts in Hong Kong Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing in national security case. (AP Photo\/Chan Long Hei)<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"Figure\">\n<picture data-crop=\"twoup-3x2\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/970f969\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/599x399!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/3cb313c\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/1198x798!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 2x\"><source media=\"(max-width: 599px)\" width=\"599\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/c9da3f4\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/599x399!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/d76a7d7\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2664+0+1\/resize\/1198x798!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 2x\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/593b0df\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a4e5d98\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/1534x1022!\/format\/webp\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 2x\"><source width=\"767\" height=\"511\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a4fc238\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/730f5dd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a4fc238\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 1x,https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/730f5dd\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/1534x1022!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49 2x\" width=\"767\" height=\"511\" src=\"https:\/\/dims.apnews.com\/dims4\/default\/a4fc238\/2147483647\/strip\/true\/crop\/4000x2665+0+1\/resize\/767x511!\/quality\/90\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fd4%2F69%2Fdf15615e3ca568aa0cc297d68cd4%2F98465434a09344dd8ea9b7b99bdcab49\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<div class=\"Figure-content\">\n<p><bsp-read-more class=\"ReadMore\" data-more-button-text=\"Read More\" data-less-button-text=\"Read Less\" data-expand=\"ReadMore-expand\" data-limit=\"110\" data-main-class=\"ReadMore\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\">Representatives from various consulates wait in line outside the West Kowloon Magistrates&#8217; Courts in Hong Kong Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, ahead of the sentencing in national security case. (AP Photo\/Chan Long Hei)<\/figcaption><\/bsp-read-more><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\u201cThe public\u2019s interpretation and understanding has a far-reaching impact on our society\u2019s future development,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Wei Siu-lik, a friend of convicted activist Clarisse Yeung, said she arrived at 4 a.m. even though her leg was injured. \u201cI wanted to let them know there are still many coming here for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Thirty-one of the activists entered guilty pleas and had better chances of getting reduced sentences. The law authorizes a range of sentences depending on the seriousness of the offense and the defendant\u2019s role in it, from under three years for the least serious to 10 years to life for people convicted of \u201cgrave\u201d offenses.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script>\n  window.fbAsyncInit = function() {\n      FB.init({\n              appId : '870613919693099',\n          xfbml : true,\n          version : 'v2.9'\n      });\n  };\n  (function(d, s, id){\n     var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];\n     if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}\n     js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;\n     js.src = \"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\";\n     fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);\n   }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hong-kong-activists-sentencing-unofficial-primary-1ed13be76fa4918d83f7d3e498f2f543\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>HONG KONG (AP) \u2014 Forty-five ex-lawmakers and activists were sentenced to four to 10 years in prison Tuesday in Hong Kong\u2019s biggest national security case under a Beijing-imposed law that &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=127692\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-127692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=127692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/127692\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=127692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=127692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=127692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}