Hong Kong Courts Uphold Security Law Convictions and Target Activists’ Families
A series of recent court rulings in Hong Kong have reinforced the city’s strict enforcement of its Beijing-imposed national security law, targeting both pro-democracy activists and, for the first time, their family members. The Court of Appeal dismissed all appeals from a group of prominent activists convicted of subversion, while a separate case saw the father of exiled activist Anna Kwok sentenced to eight months in prison for attempting to access her financial assets. These developments underscore the intensifying crackdown on dissent and the expanding reach of the national security law, which has drawn international criticism and heightened tensions in the city’s political landscape.Reuters+2
⚖️ Court Upholds Activists’ Convictions
On February 23, 2026, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal rejected appeals from 12 pro-democracy activists involved in the city’s largest national security case. The activists, among 47 charged in 2021 for conspiracy to commit subversion, were prosecuted for organizing an unofficial primary election. Most received sentences ranging from four to ten years in 2024. The court’s decision reaffirmed the convictions, with only one activist acquitted on appeal, highlighting the judiciary’s alignment with the government’s security priorities.The Korea Times+2
👨👧 First Family Member Sentenced Under Security Law
In a landmark case, Kwok Yin-sang, father of U.S.-based activist Anna Kwok, was sentenced to eight months in prison for attempting to withdraw funds from his daughter’s insurance policy. This is the first instance of a family member of a wanted activist being prosecuted under the national security law, specifically the 2024 Article 23 legislation. Authorities have banned handling Anna Kwok’s assets and offered a reward for her arrest, signaling a new phase in the crackdown targeting activists’ relatives.The Korea Times+2
🗣️ Activists Respond to Legal Pressure
Despite the legal setbacks, exiled activist Anna Kwok has vowed to continue her advocacy from the U.S., stating that her father’s imprisonment has only strengthened her resolve. Similarly, Guo Fengyi, another activist whose father was sentenced, criticized the verdict as an example of “joint responsibility” being enforced under the guise of national security. These responses reflect the resilience of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement amid escalating government pressure.The Independent+2
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