Hong Kong’s stability and livelihood could have been ‘gravely affected’ by 2020 unofficial primary scheme, court hears
- Prosecutor alleges objective of defendants was to win Legco majority, paralyse government and topple then-chief executive Carrie Lam
- Trial hears online statement alleged to have been signed by some defendants was proof of ‘unwavering pledge’ to achieve subversive aims
Hong Kong’s stability and the livelihoods of its people could have been seriously compromised if the winners of an unofficial primary election in 2020 had been able to run for the city’s legislature, prosecutors have alleged in a subversion case involving 47 opposition figures.
The prosecution on Tuesday outlined their key evidence against the 47 defendants as they continued their opening speech at West Kowloon Court a day after the high-profile trial began.
Prosecutor Anthony Chau Tin-hang said the objective of the group was to seize a majority in the Legislative Council and use it to veto government budgets, paralyse its operations and ultimately to force Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, then the chief executive, to resign.
“Had the election not been postponed due to public health concerns, the conspiracy would have been carried out to fruition and the provision of public services essential to the operation and stability of the HKSAR and the livelihoods of the people of the HKSAR would have been gravely affected,” Chau told the court.
It was alleged the opposition-led primary in July 2020 was part of a “grand strategy of rebellion” by former legal academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting, who had insisted his plan to topple Lam did not breach the Beijing-imposed 2020 national security law.