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The trials of 47 pro-democracy figures have begun in Hong Kong. Most of them have been detained for the past two years on security grounds. Critics say the city's controversial national security law is being used as a tool to crush dissent. But Chinese and Hong Kong authorities maintain it is needed to curb unrest. Those on trial include pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong and Lester Shum, alongside former lawmakers Claudia Mo, Au Nok-hin and Leung Kwok-hung as well as journalists, scholars and union leaders. Thirty-four of those on trial have been in pre-trial custody since being detained by the authorities during a dawn raid in January 2021. All were subsequently charged with "conspiracy to commit subversion" for allegedly organising an unofficial primary election. Those in the dock today are 16 who have entered not guilty pleas. Legal proceedings are expected to take between three and four months. Veteran democracy campaigner Emily Lau - a former chair of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong - is attending proceedings at the court building in West Kowloon. She told Newsday: "Many of them have been locked up for two years. This is ridiculous." (Pic: Joshua Wong, who is among the 47 campaigners on trial in Hong Kong; Credit: Getty Images)