A Hong Kong court has convicted 14 democracy activists of subversion and acquitted two others in the largest national security case to date. Among the 47 individuals charged, only 16 pleaded not guilty. Subversion carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. The charges, filed in 2021, accused the activists of attempting to "overthrow" the government by organizing an unofficial election. The defendants range from veteran politicians to student campaigners, representing the spectrum of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement. Their arrests marked the most significant crackdown under the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China in 2020. While Beijing asserts the law is crucial for Hong Kong's stability, rights groups argue it has stifled civil liberties and fostered a climate of fear.