HK Alliance subversion sentencing due within two weeks

A High Court judge announced plans to sentence the individuals behind the June 4th vigils and their former leaders within two weeks. The case involved Lee Cheuk‑yan, Chow Hang‑tung, and the now-defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China. The trio was found guilty of breaching the National Security Law by repeatedly advocating for the end of "one-party dictatorship" between July 2020 and September 2021.

Former alliance vice-chairman Albert Ho had earlier pleaded guilty to the same charge. During mitigation, Lee and Ho's defense lawyer argued that their advocacy did not involve violence and requested a sentencing in the lower banding of five years or less. Judge Alex Lee, however, stated that Ho, who pleaded guilty after the committal proceedings, would not be entitled to the full one-third discount for a guilty plea.

Chow, who represented herself, maintained that pursuing democracy is not a crime and did not express remorse. The judge confirmed that sentences will be handed down within two weeks, noting that only a fine can be imposed for the now-defunct alliance, but the court must consider its financial capability.