Two veteran Hong Kong pro‑democracy activists were found guilty of inciting subversion, each facing a maximum ten‑year prison term. The verdict, delivered on 21 May 2026, comes as Hong Kong’s national security law continues to be applied to peaceful political expression, with sentencing still pending.
Lee Cheuk‑yan, 69, a former labour leader, and Chow Hang‑tung, 41, a human‑rights lawyer, headed the now‑disbanded Hong Kong Alliance that organised annual Tiananmen vigils. Their trial began in January, lasted 24 days, and concluded with a guilty verdict for “inciting others to subvert state power”. A third defendant, former lawmaker Albert Ho, had pleaded guilty earlier.
The conviction underscores the tightening of political space in Hong Kong, signaling to businesses, NGOs and investors that even symbolic commemoration can trigger severe security charges. It reinforces risk assessments for entities operating in the territory and may intensify diplomatic pressure from Western capitals urging repeal of the security law.
Prosecutors argued the activists endangered national security, while the defence maintained they were exercising free speech. Amnesty International criticised the case as relying on vague, overly broad definitions of subversion, and sentencing has not yet been determined, leaving the final penalty open.