Hong Kong National Security Law 2026 Trial of Vigil Activists Opens
The trial for three Hong Kong activists accused of inciting subversion via Tiananmen vigils opened on Jan 22, 2026. They face up to 10 years in prison under the National Security Law.
Ten years in prison for holding a candle. That's the potential reality for leaders of the now-disbanded Hong Kong alliance that organized annual vigils for the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the trial of three prominent activists began under the Hong Kong National Security Law.
Key Issues in the Hong Kong National Security Law Trial
The defendants—Albert Ho, Lee Cheuk-yan, and Chow Hang-tung—face charges of 'inciting subversion.' According to reports from Nikkei Asia, the prosecution argues that their long-standing activism and refusal to stop the commemorations threatened national stability. This trial follows the forced disbanding of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China in 2021.
This case doesn't exist in a vacuum. It runs parallel to other landmark security cases, including that of media mogul Jimmy Lai. While Western governments and human rights organizations urge the protection of fundamental freedoms, Beijing maintains that the National Security Law is essential for restoring order after the 2019 protests.
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