Hong Kong: a trial without jurors against pro-democracy activists
Hong Kong Justice Minister Paul Lam here on January 8, 2018. AFP - VIVEK PRAKASH
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
A Hong Kong judiciary has ordered a trial without jurors in the biggest national security law case.
In all, 47 pro-democracy activists, accused of plotting to subvert, are to be tried soon.
They risk life in prison.
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Among the reasons given for departing from the "common law" legal system inherited from the British, Hong Kong
's new Minister of Justice
, Paul Lam, for the first time cited the involvement of foreign elements, in a certificate dated August 13.
Other stated reasons: “
the personal safety of jurors and their family members
” as well as “
the risk of influencing the course of justice if the trial takes place with a jury
”.
This is how the 47 pro-democracy activists will be tried in a trial without jurors.
Instead, the verdict will be delivered by three judges hand-picked by the government.
This is the second time that such a decision has been made in a case where
the national security law
applies .
A law that was imposed by Beijing in 2020 to silence dissent after massive and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.
The 47 defendants in this case have very varied profiles.
There are democratically elected representatives of the Legislative Council of the city, trade unionists, or even academics.
Suspected of subversion for having organized an unofficial election in July 2020, they risk up to life.
► To read also: Hong Kong: a seriously ill pro-democracy activist sentenced to nine months in prison
► To read also: Hong Kong
: UN experts call for the repeal of the national security law
(
With AFP
)
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