A Hong Kong court has sentenced all 45 defendants in the city’s largest national security trial, with key figure Benny Tai receiving the harshest sentence of 10 years.

The sentencing on Tuesday sparked immediate international backlash, with countries like the United States and Australia, alongside human rights groups, condemning it as a further erosion of political freedoms since Beijing enacted the national security law in 2020 to curb dissent following mass pro-democracy protests.

The group was charged with subversion for organizing a 2020 informal poll aimed at securing a pro-democracy electoral majority.

Among those sentenced, young activist Owen Chow received the second-longest term of seven years and nine months for playing a significant role.

Other notable organizers, including Au Nok-hin and Australian citizen Gordon Ng, received sentences of up to seven years and three months.

The remaining 40 defendants received sentences starting at four years and two months.