A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region court on Friday sentenced three former leaders of a now-dismantled Hong Kong political alliance to up to seven years and three months behind bars for inciting subversion.

The court, heard by national security judges Alex Lee Wan-tang, Johnny Chan Jong-herng, and Anna Lai Yuen-kee, also fined the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China HK$1.5 million ($191,292), which must be paid within three months.

The alliance’s former chairman Lee Cheuk-yan, 69, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, and its vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung, 41, faces seven years and three months behind bars.

The 74-year-old Albert Ho Chun-yan, the group’s former vice-chairman who pleaded guilty in January, was sentenced to five years and two months in jail.

The alliance and its three ex-leaders were jointly charged under the HKSAR National Security Law (NSL) for inciting others, between July 1, 2020 and Sept 8, 2021, to organize, plan, commit, or participate in acts aimed at subverting State power through unlawful means.

Ho pleaded guilty before the trial began, and the court convicted the remaining defendants on Aug 21.

ALSO READ: Hong Kong alliance, its ex-leaders found guilty of inciting subversion

Upon conviction, subversion charges under the HKSAR National Security Law could lead to a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.

The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR said the ruling upholds the rule of law in matters of national security and demonstrates the SAR’s firm resolve to safeguard national security in accordance with the law.

A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR said it supports the ruling and strongly condemns the interference of external forces and their smears. 

“The defendants’ crimes were clear, with conclusive evidence; they deserve the punishment and the penalty is commensurate with the crime,” the spokesperson said, adding that any organizations or individuals must not undermine the fundamental systems of the country or challenge the SAR’s constitutional order.

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the defendants did not pull back after the NSL’s enactment on June 30, 2020, and the rule of law never allows anyone to harm the country and their fellow residents under the guise of human rights, democracy and freedom.

The Hong Kong Police Force’s National Security Department Chief Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah said the ruling was as fair, open, and transparent as any other criminal trial, during which the prosecution presented evidence to the highest criminal standard, the defense had ample opportunity to present their case, and the judges, after hearing arguments from both sides, found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

READ MORE: NSL subversion verdict a victory for rule of law, HK officials say

Li said “restless elements” should take the ruling as a warning and must not test the authorities’ determination to safeguard national security.

Contact the writer at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com