On Thursday, a panel of three hand-picked judges handed down a guilty verdict to 14 of 16 opposition figures who had pleaded not guilty to subversion charges over their role in an unofficial Legislative Council “primary” in 2020.

Former district councillors Laurence Lau Wai-chung, a barrister by profession, and Lee Yue-shun were found not guilty, becoming the first to be acquitted under the Beijing-imposed national security law, which came into force four years ago.

The United States, United Kingdom, European Union and Australia have expressed “concern” over the verdict.

A US consulate general spokesman said it was “gravely concerned” with the guilty verdict, calling for their release.

“The defendants were aggressively prosecuted and jailed for peacefully participating in normal political activities,” the spokesman said.

A UK consulate spokesman told the Post its staff had attended the hearing and that its government has been “clear” in expressing their concern about the case.

“The UK government has been clear in expressing our concern over the erosion of meaningful political opposition in Hong Kong, as demonstrated by the NSL47 case,” he said.

The EU called the ruling “politically motivated” while urging authorities to respect the city’s high degree of autonomy under the ‘one country, two systems’ constitutional arrangement and its international legal obligations.

“The defendants who were involved in the unofficial primary elections organised by the pro-democracy opposition in Hong Kong in July 2020 are being penalised for peaceful political activity that should be legitimate in any political system that respects basic democratic principles,” a spokesman said.

The case has raised questions about the city’s commitment to openness and pluralism, which have been “cornerstones” of its attractiveness as an international financial hub, he added.

Penny Wong, Australia’s minister for foreign affairs, has also spoken out against the ruling and the guilty verdict on primary advocate Gordon Ng Ching-hang, who was an Australian citizen.

“We also continue to request consular access to Mr Ng from Hong Kong authorities. Noting Mr Ng has avenues of appeal available to him. I will not comment further on his case,” the minister said.

On Thursday evening after the day’s hearing had been adjourned, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the verdict showed the “scale and seriousness” of the opposition group’s “criminal” plans.

“This verdict has shown that the court confirms that there has been a conspiracy to commit subversion in this case, which intended to damage, destroy or overthrow the Basic Law and the governance structure laid out in the ‘one country, two systems’ principle,” Lee said in a statement.

The city leader has also pledged the government’s commitment to safeguard national security.

“In this regard, the Hong Kong government has the necessary laws. It will strictly enforce the law, it will use its full efforts to prevent, stop and punish behaviours and activities that endanger national security,” he said.

On his Facebook page, Lee also condemned external forces of “smearing” the judiciary, the Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies during the trial.

“This is a despicable plot to stamp upon the rule of law openly,” Lee wrote.