In a significant move on May 30, a three-judge panel of the Court of First Instance in Hong Kong convicted 14 individuals of conspiring to subvert state power. This verdict marks a crucial step in safeguarding the region's governance against destabilizing forces.
The convicted individuals, along with 31 others who had already pleaded guilty, were involved in orchestrating a deceptive \"primary\" poll aimed at seizing control of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Their plan sought to block all funding requests, including the regional budget, thereby bringing the government to a standstill. Additionally, they intended for the chief executive of the HKSAR to resign, hoping to trigger a constitutional crisis that would lead to a confrontation with China's central government.
Despite the dire consequences their plot would have had on Hong Kong's stability, the defendants continued their efforts, influenced by anti-China elements. This attempt to undermine the \"One Country, Two Systems\" policy echoed previous unrest in 2019, although this time, the implementation of the national security law played a pivotal role in thwarting their plans.
The sentencing process for the 45 offenders is scheduled to commence on June 25, further reinforcing Hong Kong's commitment to maintaining its governance and legal integrity in the face of external threats.
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Subversion verdicts: Justice triumphs despite foreign threats
cgtn.com
