Prosecutors to appeal 1 of 2 acquittals in trial of Hong Kong 47

Sixteen contested the charge and 14 were found guilty on May 30 after judges found the primary was part of a plot to “undermine, destroy or overthrow” the government.

The court will hear mitigation claims from those convicted on June 25.

No reasons were provided for the appeal decision as a department spokesman said it “has nothing further to supplement”.

Lau and Lee, both former district councillors, were acquitted as the panel of three judges said it could not be sure of their intention in regards to a plot to indiscriminately “veto” budgets with an aim to paralyse the government.

They were granted bail and required to report to police on a monthly basis. The department signalled at the time it intended to challenge the acquittals.

Under the Beijing-imposed national security law, a three-tier system classifies offenders found guilty of subversion, with the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.