Hong Kong Tiananmen Vigil Group National Security Trial
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HK Alliance), known for organizing annual Tiananmen Square vigils, faced increasing pressure under the National Security Law. Its leaders were arrested and charged with 'incitement to subversion' after refusing to cooperate with a police investigation. The trial for these charges against former leaders Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Albert Ho began on January 21, 2026, with one defendant expected to plead guilty.
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February 2026 — 1 developments
During the national security trial, a defense lawyer argued that the disbanded Hong Kong group's aim…
During the national security trial, a defense lawyer argued that the disbanded Hong Kong group's aim was to promote democracy and political freedom, not to oppose the Communist Party leadership. The lawyer stated that advocating for the abolition of one-party rule was a lawful means to achieve a democratic society.
January 2026 — 14 developments
The judge ordered the prosecution to submit the scope of the 'co-conspirator principle' in writing and questioned their preparedness due to repeated delays.
The judge ordered the prosecution to submit the scope of the 'co-conspirator principle' in writing and questioned their preparedness due to repeated delays. The trial was adjourned until Thursday for further discussion between the prosecution and defense.
The prosecution confirmed its intent to use the 'co-conspirator principle' as evidence, which the de…
The prosecution confirmed its intent to use the 'co-conspirator principle' as evidence, which the defense questioned due to lack of prior notification, leading to a one-day adjournment of the trial for clarification.
Prosecutors are focusing on the Hong Kong Alliance's repeated calls to 'end one-party dictatorship' as evidence of subversion.
Prosecutors are focusing on the Hong Kong Alliance's repeated calls to 'end one-party dictatorship' as evidence of subversion. Additionally, the prosecution opposed the expert witness application, citing the scholar's lack of expert qualification and bias.
During the national security trial on January 27, prosecutors presented recordings of defiant anti-B…
During the national security trial on January 27, prosecutors presented recordings of defiant anti-Beijing speeches, some nearly three decades old, as evidence against democracy activists Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung.
During the ongoing national security trial, former vice-chair Chow Hang-tung's application to summon a Taiwanese scholar as an expert witness was rejected by the judge.
During the ongoing national security trial, former vice-chair Chow Hang-tung's application to summon a Taiwanese scholar as an expert witness was rejected by the judge. Additionally, the prosecution played footage of a 1996 speech by Szeto Wah, to which defendant Lee Cheuk-yan reacted emotionally.
Prosecutors argued that the national security trial against the Hong Kong Alliance is not politically motivated and will not delve into sensitive political issues.
Prosecutors argued that the national security trial against the Hong Kong Alliance is not politically motivated and will not delve into sensitive political issues.
During her trial, Chow Hang-tung argued that the Hong Kong Alliance's call for 'ending one-party rul…
During her trial, Chow Hang-tung argued that the Hong Kong Alliance's call for 'ending one-party rule' was a plea for democratization rather than an attempt to overthrow the Communist Party.
Two former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, pleaded not guilty in their national security trial.
Two former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, pleaded not guilty in their national security trial. A third former leader, Albert Ho, pleaded guilty. The trial, concerning the group that organized annual vigils for the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, began on January 22, 2026.
The national security trial for three former leaders of Hong Kong's disbanded Tiananmen Square vigil group has commenced.
The national security trial for three former leaders of Hong Kong's disbanded Tiananmen Square vigil group has commenced. Prosecutors allege that the group's call to "end one-party rule" constituted incitement to subvert state power. During the proceedings, one organizer pleaded guilty, while the other two entered not guilty pleas.
The national security trial for former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, organizers of the annual Tiananmen Square vigils, has commenced.
The national security trial for former leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance, organizers of the annual Tiananmen Square vigils, has commenced. During the proceedings, a police officer testified that public health and safety were considered part of national security when the 2020 vigil was banned. Defense lawyers are arguing that the group's actions were a lawful exercise of rights aimed at promoting democracy and political freedom, not opposing the Communist Party leadership.
The organizers of the Tiananmen vigil group, charged with incitement to subversion, face a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.
The organizers of the Tiananmen vigil group, charged with incitement to subversion, face a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.
Amnesty International condemned the prosecution of the activists, labeling it a 'cynical attempt to erase historical memory' and a weaponization of national security laws.
Amnesty International condemned the prosecution of the activists, labeling it a 'cynical attempt to erase historical memory' and a weaponization of national security laws. The organization highlighted that Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan have been detained for over four years.
Prosecutors argue that the Hong Kong Alliance's goal of 'ending one-party rule' constitutes illegally inciting subversion of state power.
Prosecutors argue that the Hong Kong Alliance's goal of 'ending one-party rule' constitutes illegally inciting subversion of state power. The trial is expected to last 75 days and is presided over by three government-vetted judges.
During the national security trial, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan pleaded not guilty to inciting subversion.
During the national security trial, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan pleaded not guilty to inciting subversion. Albert Ho, the third defendant, pleaded guilty to the charge.
March 2025 — 1 developments
Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal unanimously quashed the convictions against Chow Hang-tung and two…
Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal unanimously quashed the convictions against Chow Hang-tung and two other Alliance members for refusing to comply with the data demand, stating that the heavy redaction of information had deprived them of a fair trial.
March 2023 — 2 developments
Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan, and Tsui Hon-kwong were sentenced to four and a half months in jail for their refusal to comply with the police's information request.
Chow Hang-tung, Tang Ngok-kwan, and Tsui Hon-kwong were sentenced to four and a half months in jail for their refusal to comply with the police's information request.
Chow Hang-tung and two other former Alliance members, Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong, were convicted for refusing to provide information to the national security police.
Chow Hang-tung and two other former Alliance members, Tang Ngok-kwan and Tsui Hon-kwong, were convicted for refusing to provide information to the national security police.
September 2021 — 4 developments
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China voted to disband, citing growing political and legal risks.
The Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China voted to disband, citing growing political and legal risks.
Police froze HK$2.
Police froze HK$2.2 million (approximately US$283,000) of the Alliance's assets and charged three of its leaders – Chow Hang-tung, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Albert Ho – along with the Alliance itself, with 'incitement to subversion' under the National Security Law.
Four leaders of the HK Alliance, including vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung, were arrested for refusing to comply with the police's information request.
Four leaders of the HK Alliance, including vice-chairwoman Chow Hang-tung, were arrested for refusing to comply with the police's information request.
The HK Alliance publicly announced its refusal to cooperate with the police investigation, stating that the demand was an abuse of power and denying it was a foreign agent.
The HK Alliance publicly announced its refusal to cooperate with the police investigation, stating that the demand was an abuse of power and denying it was a foreign agent.
August 2021 — 1 developments
Hong Kong police's National Security Department demanded the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patrio…
Hong Kong police's National Security Department demanded the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HK Alliance) provide extensive information on its activities, accusing it of being a 'foreign agent' under the National Security Law.