Jul 8, 2021 - World

Hong Kong activists face September trial for subversion

Axios

Illustration of a gavel cracking the Hong Kong flag — Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

A judge on Thursday determined that 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists will face trial in late September, after prosecutors were granted more time to build a case against them, per Reuters.

Why it matters: The activists face up to life in prison under the Beijing-imposed national security law that sparked a mass uprising on the streets of Hong Kong last year.

The big picture: The democracy advocates are charged with conspiracy to commit subversion after allegedly participating in an independent and unofficial primary for a city election last year.

More than 120 people — mainly students, activists and opposition leaders — have been arrested under the security law to date.

Go deeper: Beijing's national security law takes a toll in Hong Kong

Add Axios on Google

Hong Kong activists face September trial for subversion

What to read next