Hong Kong. The conviction of seven figures in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, including media magnate Kimmy Lai, for organizing one of the largest pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019 was partially overturned on appeal on Monday.
The Court of Appeal, however, confirmed his sentence for having participated in that demonstration, which brought together 1.7 million people according to the organizers, close to one Hong Konger out of four. This figure could not be independently verified.
In 2021, the seven opposition veterans were sentenced for organizing and participating in the protest, which was declared illegal, but according to Monday’s ruling, the fact that the seven were at the head of the demonstration does not prove their involvement in the organization.
Following huge protests in 2019, the entry into force in 2020 of the national security law imposed by Beijing put an end to dissent, leaving 260 detainees so far, of whom 79 have been convicted or awaiting trial.
