Hong Kong court finds 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of subversion
- 14 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been found guilty of subversion.
- The verdict could deal a significant blow to the pro-democracy movement in the city.
- There are concerns that the city's rule of law is being further undermined.
STORY: The judges quickly gave their decisions in the case of the "Hong Kong 47", a group of people who opposed the city's government. On May 30th, they said 14 of them were guilty of planning to overthrow the government. This was a big trial about national security in Hong Kong. Some of the accused had already admitted their guilt. Two people were found not guilty. The activists were accused of trying to win control of the local government through an election. They wanted more democracy or they would make the city's leader step down by rejecting the budget. The government said this was against the law. The activists' lawyers said it was just normal politics. EXPLANATION: The judges made their decisions quickly in the case of the "Hong Kong 47", a group of people who were against the city's government. They said 14 of them were guilty of planning to overthrow the government. This was a big trial about national security in Hong Kong. Some of the accused had already admitted their guilt. Two people were found not guilty. The activists were accused of trying to win control of the local government through an election. They wanted more democracy or they would make the city's leader step down by rejecting the budget. The government said this was against the law. The activists' lawyers said it was just normal politics.