A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the Hong Kong court where the river trial of 47 pro-democracy figures opened on Monday, February 6, AFP journalists noted.
“
The repression is shameless
,” read a banner unfurled by two demonstrators, who chanted: “
Immediately release all political prisoners
.”
Another protester was seen raising his fist in solidarity with the defendants.
A large number of police were deployed nearby.
It is the largest trial to date under the national security law, imposed by Beijing in 2020 and intended to stifle dissent, similar to the legislation in mainland China.
Among the 47 defendants are prominent pro-democracy activists like lawyer Benny Tai and former MPs.
All face sentences of up to life in prison if found guilty of “
conspiracy to commit an act of subversion
”.
The trial is expected to last several months.
Their supporters, like their opponents, lined up outside the courthouse, some overnight, hoping to see the trial begin.
