Four former opposition lawmakers, jailed in Hong Kong’s landmark national security case last year, were released on Tuesday after completing their time in prison.
They were the first among 45 convicted that were released from jail.
All four individuals were transported from prison in vehicles with their curtains drawn.
The four opposition figures pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to four years and two months in prison in November.
Why were the opposition members arrested?
Last year, authorities in Hong Kong arrested 47 individuals on charges of subversion under a national security law imposed by Beijing.
The figures included some notable democracy advocates, elected lawmakers, district councilors, unionists and academics.
During the trial two were found not guilty. The 45 others received sentences between four to 10 years.
The four opposition members released on Tuesday were in custody since March 2021 and received the lightest penalty among the convicted.
What is Hong Kong’s national security law?
The arrests came after Beijing passed a national security law in 2020 in response to large pro-democracy protests in the financial hub.
Under that law, Hong Kong democrats were accused of conspiring to subvert state power through a multi-step plan. The group organized a primary election in 2020 to secure a legislative majority and rejected the government budget.
The sentences have been condemned by Western governments and rights groups. The United States labelled the penalties as “unjust” and the United Nations Human Rights Office also expressed grave concern.
Hong Kong and Beijing assert that everyone is equal under the national security laws and that the democrats received a fair trial.
Hong Kong has arrested 322 people for national security crimes and convicted 163 of them in April under the national security law.
