Scholar, lawmakers and journalist among at the stand as Hong Kong's largest national security trial opens

Transgender activist Henry Tse speaks to the media outside the Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong on Monday, February 6, 2023. Hong Kong's top court ruled on February 6 that transgender people can change the sex marker on their identification cards without undertaking surgery, a landmark victory for LGBTQ equality in Asia. - AFP

HONG KONG, Feb 6, 2023 (AFP): Hong Kong's largest national security trial opened Monday with 47 pro-democracy figures accused of trying to topple the government.

The defendants, who include some of the city's most prominent activists, face up to life in prison if convicted of "conspiracy to commit subversion" for involvement in an unofficial primary election.