Political prisoner trial developments in Hong Kong this week (27 November - 1 December)
Trial of the 47 democrats
The long-anticipated trial of the 47 democrats opened on Monday 6 February 2023. The trial concerns the 47 democrats who organised or participated in “unofficial” primaries in July 2020. As a result of these primaries, 55 people were arrested in January 2021, in the largest crackdown since the National Security Law was passed.
Of these, 47 have been accused of “conspiracy to commit subversion” and are now facing trial. The majority of defendants have been in detention for 2 years, as only 13 have been granted bail. 31 of the defendants have pleaded guilty. This is one of the most significant trials since the National Security Law (NSL) was passed.
Closing Arguments Began
On 29 November 2023, the closing arguments in the landmark trial of the 47 Democrats began, after ten months of a case that was initially expected to last four months.
The defendants participating in the closing arguments include Benny Tai, Joshua Wong, Gwyneth Ho, Winnie Yu, and Gordon Ng. A full list and biographies of the 47 Democrats is available on the Hong Kong Watch Political Prisoner Database.
The closing arguments are expected to last ten days. One of the judges overseeing the case, Andrew Chan, said the verdict may be given in three to four months.
The trial of the 47 Democrats continues to be one of the most significant cases since the passage of the NSL. Although the trial is not yet finished, it will set a precedent for a broad interpretation of the NSL and cement its impact on civil society in Hong Kong.
Other Developments
Hong Kong Journalist Missing After China Trip
South China Morning Post journalist Minnie Chan failed to return to Hong Kong from China after attending the Xiangshan Forum on defence and security in Beijing.
Chan published articles from the forum, the last of which was posted on 2 November 2023. Chan’s friends and colleagues have questioned her whereabouts.
The South China Morning Post said Chan is on “personal leave” and “she is in Beijing but needs time to handle a private matter.” However, many are concerned Chan is under investigation by the Beijing authorities.
香港政治犯審訊每週簡報（2023年11月27至12月1日）
47人案進展
47名民主派人士涉於2020年7月組織及參與立法會初選，被控《國安法》下的「串謀顛覆國家政權」罪。案件於2023年2月6日開審，是迄今最大規模的國安法案件。
47名被告中只有13人獲准保釋，其餘大多數已還押兩年。當中31人認罪，16人不認罪。
47人案開始結案陳詞
2023年11月29日，47人案再次開庭，控辯雙方開始結案陳詞。這宗甚具標誌意義的案件審期原預計為四個月，至今卻已持續十個月。
作結案陳詞的被告包括戴耀廷、黃之鋒、何桂藍、余慧明和吳政亨。「香港監察政治犯資料庫」載有47人的完整名單和簡介。
結案陳詞預計將持續十日。其中一名負責本案的法官陳慶偉透露，本案預計需時三至四個月後方可作裁決。
47人案依然是自《國安法》通過以來最重大的案件之一。儘管審訊尚未結束，但將為《國安法》的廣泛詮釋開創先例，並加強其對香港民間社會的影響。
其他事件
《南華早報》記者赴北京採訪後失蹤
香港《南華早報》記者陳敏莉（Minnie Chan）10月底前往北京採訪國防與安全論壇「香山論壇」後失去聯絡。
陳敏莉發送了若干關於論壇的報導，最後一篇在2023年11月2日發布。陳的朋友和同事詢問她的下落。
《南華早報》表示，陳敏莉正在休假，身在北京但需要時間處理私事。然而，許多人擔心陳正接受北京當局調查。