Hong Kong court sentences 45 pro-democracy activists to jail terms of up to 10 years

A Hong Kong court today sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to jail terms of up to 10 years. The activists were prosecuted under the national security law for their roles in pro-democracy protests. This was the biggest trial under the national security law, which China imposed on the city shortly after explosive pro-democracy protests in



2019. 

According to media reports, a legal scholar, Benny Tai, considered the mastermind behind the plan, was given the longest sentence. The protesters were accused of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong’s government and force the city’s leader to resign. The U.S. and Australia condemned the ruling.