A Hong Kong court has handed prison sentences to 45 democracy advocates in the city's largest trial under the 2020 national security law, with rights groups condemning the verdict.View on euronews

Hong Kong's High Court on Tuesday jailed a leading pro-democracy activist for 10 years at the start of sentencing in a years-long national security trial that has damaged the city's once feisty pro-democracy movement and drawn global criticism.

A Hong Kong court has sentenced dozens of pro-democracy leaders to years in jail for subversion, following a controversial national security trial. Benny Tai, 60, and Joshua Wong, 28, were among the so-called Hong Kong 47 group of activists and lawmakers who were involved in a plan to pick opposition candidates for local elections.

A Hong Kong court sentenced pro-democracy leader Benny Tai to 10 years in prison, escalating the use of 2020’s national security laws. Tai was accused of leading a conspiracy to “overthrow” the government by blocking the budget through elected lawmakers.

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 LegCo and spray-painted Hong Kong's emblem in what became a pivotal moment in the 2019 protests.

Forty-five prominent activists in Hong Kong have been sentenced to up to 10 years in jail, sparking criticism from foreign governments and rights groups

Forty-five ex-lawmakers and activists were sentenced to four to 10 years in prison Tuesday in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case under a Beijing-imposed law that crushed a once-thriving pro-democracy movement.

The U.S. has criticized the trial and said the activists should be released as they had been "peacefully participating in political activities."

On Nov. 19, 45 pro-democracy activists and leaders were sentenced to prison terms of up to 10 years in Hong Kong's biggest national security case.