HONG KONG (NEWSnet/AP) — Fourteen pro-democracy activists were convicted Thursday in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case.

The court said the activists’ plan to effect change through an unofficial primary election would have undermined the government’s authority and created a constitutional crisis.

After a 2019 protest movement that filled the streets with demonstrators, authorities have all but silenced dissent in Hong Kong through reduced public choice in elections, crackdown on media and the Beijing-imposed security law.

Those found guilty of conspiracy to commit subversion include former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung, Lam Cheuk-ting, Helena Wong and Raymond Chan.

Two defendants acquitted are former district councilors Lee Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau. The prosecution said it intends to appeal against the acquittals.

In a summary of the verdict, the court said the election participants had declared they would use their legislative power to veto the budgets.

Judges approved by the government to oversee the case also said if the plan to veto bills would lead to dissolution of the legislature, it meant implementation of any new government policies would be “seriously hampered and essentially put to a halt.”

The activists were among 47 democracy advocates prosecuted in 2021 for their involvement in the primary. Prosecutors had accused them of attempting to paralyze Hong Kong’s government and topple the city’s leader by securing the legislative majority necessary to veto budgets.

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