Four pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, including prominent political and LGBTQ advocate Jimmy Sham, were released from prison on Friday after serving over four years for their involvement in the 2021 national security trial of the “47 democrats.” This marks the second group of detainees to be freed in a month, following the April release of former lawmakers Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam, and Gary Fan. (Reuters)
The 47 democrats were arrested in early 2021 and charged with conspiracy to commit subversion under the Beijing-imposed national security law. The charges stemmed from their participation in organizing an unofficial primary election in 2020, which prosecutors argued was an effort to paralyze the government if elected. The sweeping trial concluded with 45 convictions and only two acquittals, with some defendants receiving up to 10-year sentences. (Reuters)
Jimmy Sham, 37, is a long-time political and LGBTQ activist who led one of Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy groups, the Civil Human Rights Front, which disbanded in 2021. He was sentenced to four years and three months in prison for his role in the primary election. (BBC)
The release of Sham and his fellow activists has drawn both praise and criticism. Critics, including the U.S. government, have condemned the trial as politically motivated. Hong Kong and Beijing authorities maintain that the trial was fair and upheld equal justice under national security laws. (Reuters)
Sham, reflecting on his release, stated that he needed time to reconnect with the outside world and understand the boundaries within the current political climate. (Reuters)
Shenzhen City China Skyline by Diego Delso on Wikimedia
