A Hong Kong court is hearing final arguments in the national security trial of two former Tiananmen vigil organizers, Chow Hang-tung and Lee Cheuk-yan, who are charged with inciting subversion under Beijing’s national security law.

The defendants pleaded not guilty, and if convicted they face up to 10 years in prison. The trial centers on their roles with the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and calls to end one-party rule.

The case sits within a broader crackdown that barred the annual Tiananmen vigil in 2020 and shifted the vigil site toward pro-Beijing activities, with related June 4 incidents prompting detentions.

The defense contends the evidence does not prove incitement, arguing past writings aimed to foster understanding and democracy rather than urging action or hatred.

Amnesty International has criticized the charges as vague and arbitrary, urging them to be dropped and highlighting concerns about broad definitions of subversion.

The charges stem from the Alliance’s advocacy to end one-party rule, with prosecutors arguing that such calls amounted to subversion under the national security law.

Historically, the Alliance promoted democratic reforms and organized vigils in Hong Kong for decades, which prosecutors say amounted to subversion of state power.

Albert Ho, a co-defendant, has pleaded guilty, potentially influencing sentencing for the remaining defendants; the trial began in January and was projected to run about 75 days but may conclude earlier.

Chow Hang-tung has defended her writings as educational about democracy, while Lee Cheuk-yan has emphasized no enmity toward the Communist Party and hopes for reform.

The trial spanned 22 court days, with prosecutors presenting pre-2020 materials as evidence under the security law, despite ongoing debates over retroactivity.

Authorities rely on the 2020 security framework and pre-2020 materials to support charges, underscoring tensions between Hong Kong authorities and pro-democracy activists.

The proceedings reflect concerns about erosion of Western-style civil liberties in Hong Kong under Beijing’s security regime, amid the ongoing crackdown on pro-democracy activism.