Democracy activists face jail in HK's biggest security case

Summary

1. Verdicts are due in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case - 47 democracy activists face jail over subversion charges
2. Sixteen of them entered not guilty pleas. Subversion carries a maximum term of life imprisonment
3. They were all charged in 2021 with trying to “overthrow” the government by organising an unofficial election
4. From veteran politicians to student campaigners, they represent the gamut of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement
5. Their arrest marked the biggest crackdown under the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China in 2020
6. Beijing says the law is essential for Hong Kong’s stability but rights groups say it has crushed civil liberties and created a climate of fear