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Hong Kong 47: opposition activist says court a discredit to constitution in subversion case
- Former hospital worker Winnie Yu voices criticism of High Court judges, who accuse her of political posturing and lack of remorse
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A former hospital worker turned opposition activist has hit back at a court’s findings on what it ruled to be a subversive plot against the Hong Kong government.
Winne Yu Wai-ming said during pleas in mitigation on Thursday that the verdict disparaged her political involvement and brought discredit on the city’s constitutional duty to implement democratic reforms.
But the three High Court judges overseeing the high-profile trial at West Kowloon appeared indifferent to the rare criticism of their judgment.
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Mr Justice Andrew Chan Hing-wai said he saw “no remorse whatsoever” from Yu and dismissed her comments as “a political speech” which was of no value in mitigation proceedings.
Yu was among 14 opposition politicians and activists convicted of conspiracy to subvert state power by the trio of judges, hand-picked by the chief executive to hear cases tried under the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law.
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The ruling meant a total of 45 opposition figures, including 31 who pleaded guilty before the trial, may face substantial jail terms for their involvement in an unofficial legislative “primary” election in July 2020.
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