HKFP are reporting the following…. sounds like the news won’t be positive.
Hong Kong’s landmark national security trial involving 47 pro-democracy figures accused of conspiring to subvert state power could end as early as next Monday, a court has heard.
Closing submissions began on Wednesday in the trial against 16 of the defendants who pleaded not guilty under a sweeping security law Beijing imposed in 2020. The arguments were expected to last for 10 days, after a three-month adjournment since the last defendant completed her testimony in August.
But on Thursday two defence lawyers, representing the last two defendants yet to make their final statements, told the court they could conclude next Monday, as they asked for a brief adjournment.
Steven Kwan, representing ex-District Councillor Lee Yue-shun, said he would be making a joint argument on behalf of most of the defendants after the prosecution on Wednesday submitted a second written argument.
Judge Andrew Chan agreed to adjourn the trial till Monday, allowing Kwan time to finish his response to the prosecution’s argument. Chan added Kwan would have the last word, meaning that the prosecution would not be responding to his arguments.
Trevor Beel, representing journalist-turned-activist Gwyneth Ho, also said he could end his submission on Monday. Lee and Ho were the last two defendants who had yet to submit final arguments.
The 47 defendants stand accused of “conspiracy to subvert state power” over their role in an unofficial opposition primary election in July 2020, which aimed to select the best opposition candidates in hopes of winning a majority in the city’s legislature.
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Hong Kong 47: Landmark nat. security trial could end next Monday, court hears
