LegCo backs sentencing in HK Alliance case
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council said it firmly supports the High Court of First Instance’s sentencing in the case involving the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, describing the ruling as an expression of legal justice and a defence of Hong Kong’s constitutional order. The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese foreign ministry in Hong Kong separately said the sentencing showed justice had been done and denounced comments by some Western countries and organisations after the ruling.
Key Points
- The High Court of First Instance earlier handed down sentences in the “Hong Kong Alliance incitement to subvert state power” case, prompting a formal statement of support from the Legislative Council on September 12
- A LegCo spokesperson said the trial was not based on the defendants’ political beliefs or conduct before the Hong Kong National Security Law took effect, but on law and evidence
- According to LegCo, the court found the defendants continued inciting acts after the national security law came into force, over a 14-month period aimed at undermining trust in the Communist Party
- The foreign ministry’s Hong Kong office said some Western politicians and organisations had smeared Hong Kong’s rule of law and freedoms after sentencing, and it expressed strong dissatisfaction and condemnation
- Both statements said defendants’ litigation rights were protected and that Hong Kong’s law enforcement, prosecution and judicial bodies handled the case lawfully, openly and independently.
Why It Matters
The coordinated responses from LegCo and the foreign ministry’s Hong Kong office show the authorities are treating overseas criticism of national security cases as a political and sovereignty issue as well as a legal one. For Hong Kong readers, that points to continued official emphasis on defending court rulings in national security proceedings and resisting foreign commentary on local judicial cases.