Four former pro-democracy lawmakers in Hong Kong have been released from prison after serving their sentences under the National Security Law.
Claudia Mo, Kwok Ka-ki, Jeremy Tam, and Gary Fan were among a group of 47 opposition figures arrested in 2021 for organizing an unofficial primary election. Authorities claimed the effort was part of a broader attempt to undermine the government.
The four had pleaded guilty and were sentenced to just over four years in jail in November. Their early release on Tuesday came after the court took into account the time they had already spent in detention since their arrests.
Their release marks a moment in Hong Kong’s ongoing political saga following the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020. The law was introduced after mass protests in 2019, which began as a response to a proposed extradition bill and soon grew into a wider call for democratic freedoms. In the aftermath, Beijing imposed the law to crack down on dissent, triggering concern from rights groups and Western governments.
All four lawmakers were part of the now-dismantled pro-democracy camp. Claudia Mo, once a journalist, had been a vocal critic of Beijing and played a key role in forming the Civic Party. She served in the city’s Legislative Council for years before resigning along with other lawmakers after the government removed several elected members from office in 2020.
Kwok Ka-ki and Jeremy Tam also belonged to the Civic Party, while Gary Fan co-founded the Neo Democrats, another opposition group. Their political careers were cut short when they were swept up in a mass arrest targeting activists, former lawmakers, and district councillors under charges of subversion.
The National Security Law has drawn international condemnation since it was enacted. Critics say it has erased the city’s autonomy and crushed freedoms promised under the “one country, two systems” framework. Supporters, however, argue it has restored order after months of street protests and clashes.
The trial of the so-called “Hong Kong 47” became the largest case under the new law, involving well-known figures such as Joshua Wong and Benny Tai. Two members of the group were acquitted last year, but most were convicted of plotting to paralyze the government by gaining a majority in the legislature.
The international community, including the United Kingdom and the United States, has denounced the arrests and jail terms as politically motivated. Rights groups have also warned of the chilling effect the law has had on civil society, with activists, journalists, and academics facing pressure or choosing to leave the city.
As the four lawmakers walk free, many of their former allies remain behind bars or in exile. Their release serves as a reminder of the sweeping changes Hong Kong has undergone in recent years, as political opposition has been pushed to the margins and the space for dissent continues to shrink.