Hong Kong's High Court on Tuesday sentenced 45 pro-democracy activists to jail terms of up to 10 years in a landmark national security trial that has drawn international condemnation.

Legal scholar Benny Tai, considered the mastermind behind the plan, was given the longest sentence.

This was Hong Kong’s biggest national security case under a sweeping law imposed by China that crushed a once-thriving pro-democracy movement.

The activists were prosecuted in 2021 for their roles in an unofficial primary election under the 2020 national security law. 

They were accused of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong's government and force the city's leader to resign. They either pleaded guilty or were found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion by three government-approved judges.

International condemnation for ruling

Australia said it was "gravely concerned" by the sentencing of the pro-democracy activists under the restrictive national security law, including Australian citizen Gordon Ng.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia has "strong objections" regarding the "continuing broad application of national security legislation.

The US, too, condemned the ruling. 

"The US government condemns the continuous prosecution of individuals here in Hong Kong who are experssing their political views... exercising their freedom of expresson," said Roxie Houge, the head of political and economic affairs at the US consulate in Hong Kong.

Taiwan's presidential office voiced its opposition to the ruling, saying democracy and freedom were universal values and that Taiwan would continue to stand in solidarity with Hong Kong.

China, meanwhile, slammed Western countries, including the United States, for their criticism of the ruling. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news conference that China supports Hong Kong in safeguarding its security. 

Some nations "ignore the fact that they use relevant judicial procedures to uphold their own national security, while also arbitrarily condemning Hong Kong courts that implement the National Security Law,"  Lin said. "This kind of behaviour seriously desecrates and tramples on the spirit of the rule of law." 

Hong Kong still in 'pursuit for freedom'

Nathan Law, a former Hong Kong lawmaker and now a pro-democracy activist, called the verdict was devastating for the people of Hong Kong. 

"We have to know that this was an unfair trial. They have been tried under the national security court which the government handpicked to judge us and the law was written by Beijing, not by Hong Kong legislature," he told DW.

"This law is designed to jail democratic activists who are merely exercising their rights," he said.

Asked if this marks the end of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, as some suggest, Law said the movement has only shifted to adjust to a harsher political climate.

"For now the democracy movement in Hong Kong is not showing massive movement or gathering. It has transformed to a rather more subtle way," he said. "I still believe that the pursuit for freedom and democracy is still in the hearts of the people of Hong Kong."

ftm/jsi (Reuters, AP, AFP)