Hong Kong Court of Appeal Upholds National Security Convictions for 12 Pro-Democracy Activists

Appeals Dismissed in Landmark National Security Case

Hong Kong's Court of Appeal on Monday, February 23, 2026, upheld the convictions and sentences of 12 pro-democracy activists in a significant ruling under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. The decision dismisses appeals against convictions for 11 activists and appeals against sentences for 10 of them and another activist, solidifying the outcomes of the city's largest national security trial.

The appellants were among 47 pro-democracy figures charged with conspiracy to commit subversion for their involvement in an unofficial primary election held in July 2020. Authorities had deemed this primary election a plot to subvert state power, alleging that the activists aimed to paralyze the government by indiscriminately vetoing the annual budget to force the city's leader to resign. High Court Chief Judge Jeremy Poon, who delivered the ruling, stated that the primary was devised as a 'constitutional weapon of mass destruction,' which was unlawful even without the threat of using force.

Key Figures and Judicial Outcome

Among those whose appeals were rejected were prominent former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, widely known as 'Long Hair,' Lam Cheuk-ting, Raymond Chan, and Helena Wong. Former journalist Gwyneth Ho and Australian citizen Gordon Ng also saw their appeals dismissed. The original sentences, handed down in 2024, ranged from four to 10 years in prison for the 45 convicted defendants.

Conversely, the Court of Appeal upheld the acquittal of barrister Lawrence Lau Wai-chung, whose not-guilty verdict had been challenged by the Department of Justice. Judges Jeremy Poon, Derek Pang, and Anthea Pang presided over the judgment.

Reactions and Implications

The ruling has drawn strong reactions internationally. Rights groups and several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, have condemned the case as persecution of Hong Kong's political opposition and called for the immediate release of all those arrested. Amnesty International Hong Kong Overseas spokesperson Fernando Cheung remarked that the court 'missed a critical opportunity to correct this mass injustice.' Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed 'deep concern' regarding the lost appeal of Australian citizen Gordon Ng.

In contrast, the Hong Kong and Beijing governments maintain that the National Security Law was essential for restoring stability after the 2019 pro-democracy protests and that the defendants received a fair trial. A government spokesman emphasized that the court's decision 'clearly demonstrated that anyone who attempts to subvert state power or endanger national security will ultimately face punishment in accordance with the law.'