(30 May 2024)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Hong Kong – 30 May 2024
1. Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang walking into press conference
2. Wide of press conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Chris Tang, Hong Kong Secretary for Security
"I think first of all, there is no winner of this case. This is a very sad story, that some Hong Kong people, they are trying to subvert, conduct subversion of Hong Kong. And I think that it is good that we are able to interdict their plot, so that the Hong Kong citizens will not be suffer, and Hong Kong will now resume to a normal state. And regarding those comments by the external forces, as I said, during the whole hearing period, there are different external forces, they are trying to smear the judiciary, the Department of Justice, and also the law enforcement. And actually, they are conducting their duties faithfully, and I am proud of our court, and I am proud of our Department of Justice staff, and also our law enforcement officers. I think they are the pride of Hong Kong."
4. Pan of press conference
5. Tang walking out at end of press conference
STORYLINE:
Hong Kong’s Secretary for Security Chris Tang called a controversial court case "a sad story," after 14 pro-democracy activists were found guilty of subversion on Thursday.
The 14 were convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case by a court that said their plan to effect change through an unofficial primary election would have undermined the government’s authority and created a constitutional crisis.
After a 2019 protest movement that filled the city’s streets with demonstrators, authorities have all but silenced dissent in Hong Kong through reduced public choice in elections, crackdowns on media and the Beijing-imposed security law under which the activists were convicted.
Those found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion included former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Helena Wong and Raymond Chan, and they could face up to life in prison when sentenced later.
The two defendants acquitted were former district councilors Lee Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau. But the prosecution said it intends to appeal against the acquittals.
The activists were among 47 democracy advocates who were prosecuted in 2021 for their involvement in the 2020 primary.
Prosecutors had accused them of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong’s government and topple the city’s leader by securing the legislative majority necessary to indiscriminately veto budgets.
Tang said Hong Kong’s judicial independence was being protected.
"There are different external forces, they are trying to smear the judiciary, the Department of Justice, and also the law enforcement. And actually, they are conducting their duties faithfully, and I am proud of our court, and I am proud of our Department of Justice staff, and also our law enforcement officers. I think they are the pride of Hong Kong," he said.
After the verdicts, Beijing voiced its support for the work of the city’s judicial and law enforcement officials, despite concerns from the West.
The 47 activists charged included legal scholar Benny Tai, former student leader Joshua Wong and a dozen former lawmakers including Leung and Claudia Mo.
Thirty-one of them, including Tai, Wong and Mo, pleaded guilty. They have a better chance at shorter jail terms and will be sentenced at a later date.
AP video shot by Alice Fung
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