Three Hong Kong activists were sentenced to up to seven years in prison for organizing annual vigils commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown. The sentences were handed down by a Hong Kong court on Friday, with Lee Cheuk-yan receiving seven years, Chow Hang-tung seven years and three months, and Albert Ho five years and two months after pleading guilty. The activists were convicted of 'incitement to subversion' under the city's national security law for their involvement with the now-disbanded Hong Kong Alliance, which organized the vigils in Victoria Park.

The court cited the group's call to 'end one-party dictatorship' as challenging the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party's rule in Hong Kong. The activists denied the charges, arguing that their activities were lawful and did not involve illegal actions. The court rejected their claim that they believed they were acting within the law, noting that Hong Kong's freedoms of speech have been significantly curtailed since the national security law was imposed in 2020.

The vigils, once a major annual event in Hong Kong, have been effectively banned under the law. Chow, who represented herself in court, raised her arms and waved at supporters as she was escorted out. Her mother, Medina Chow, addressed supporters outside the court, urging them not to lose heart and not to feel guilty about the verdict. The sentences have drawn criticism from foreign governments and rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which called the convictions a 'triple tragedy' for the activists, the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown, and future generations of Hongkongers.

The national security law, which came into force in 2020, has been widely criticized for eroding Hong Kong's autonomy and creating a climate of fear. The activists were charged in 2021 and faced up to 10 years in prison after their conviction. The court also imposed a HK$1.5 million fine on the Hong Kong Alliance. The group, founded in May 1989, had long called for accountability for the Tiananmen crackdown, the release of dissidents, and democratic reforms. The vigils, which attracted large crowds, were banned in 2020 under pandemic-related measures but never resumed.

The activists' families and supporters have expressed disappointment and concern over the sentences, with Lee's wife, Elizabeth Tang, stating it was a 'sad day' and that her husband intended to appeal. Chow's mother emphasized the importance of resilience in the face of the verdict. The international community has condemned the sentences, with Germany and France criticizing the verdict as a violation of peaceful advocacy for human rights. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Hong Kong's autonomy and Beijing's control over the territory.