some of Hong Kong’s best-known pro-democracy campaigners await a verdict on subversion charges

From a 68-year-old former opposition lawmaker to a 27-year-old student activist, some of Hong Kong's best-known pro-democracy campaigners await a verdict on subversion charges this week. They are among 47 protesters and activists - better known as the Hong Kong 47 - who were charged three years ago in what was seen as the biggest crackdown under the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China. Officials accused the 47 - eight women and 39 men - of trying to “overthrow” the government by running unofficial primaries to pick opposition candidates for local elections.

The primaries were held in July 2020 in defiance of Hong Kong officials and amid warnings that they could breach the NSL, which had come into effect days before. Beijing defends the law, which followed mass pro-democracy protests, as necessary to maintain stability, but critics say it has stripped the city of its prized autonomy and freedoms. Some are famous, such as opposition lawmakers - Claudia Mo, Helena Wong, Kwok ka-ki - and icons of the 2014 pro-democracy protests that rocked Hong Kong - Joshua Wong and Benny Tai.

But many like Owen Chow, Ventus Lau and Tiffany Yuen represented a new generation of vocal activists. Mr Lau and Mr Chow were among hundreds who stormed the city's Legislative Council (LegCo) and spray-painted Hong Kong's emblem in what became a pivotal moment in the 2019 protests. Then there are those who were not involved in politics but were galvanized by the 2019 protests - social workers like Hendrick Lui, entrepreneurs like Mike Lam and a former nurse, Winnie Yu. Sixteen of the 47 have pleaded not guilty and, if convicted on Thursday, could be jailed for life, although sentencing is expected later.

The remaining 31 have pleaded guilty. Four of them testified for the prosecution, including former lawmakers Au Nok-hin and Andrew Chiu. While this typically leads to a reduced sentence, it is unclear if it applies to the NSL. "They are forced to make the impossible decision between pleading guilty to a non-existent crime for a potential reduction in sentence, or fighting a losing battle under the unjust national security law," Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director Dana Young said in a report. Other prominent figures such as Nathan Law and ex-legislator Ted Hui also ran in the primaries, but fled Hong Kong. So by the time the 47 were arrested in early 2021, most of Hong Kong's pro-democracy campaigners were behind bars or in exile. Most of the accused have been in jail since then as pre-trial detentions have become the norm under NSL.