Hong Kong: According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), Chow Hang-tung, a prominent organizer of the Tiananmen massacre vigil and a jailed Hong Kong rights lawyer, has harshly criticized the city’s top judges, accusing them of complicity in what she called a “police state” under the current government.

Chow challenged Chief Justice Andrew Cheung to cease supporting government abuses and denounced the court for doing so during an appeal at the Court of Final Appeal.

Chow, who wore a beige coat and sneakers to court, was contesting a jail sentence for not disclosing information about the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, which is in charge of planning the now-banned yearly Tiananmen vigil, according to RFA.

In her comments, Chow said that the government was eroding the rule of law in order to increase police authority and control.

According to RFA, the case underscores persistent issues about the deterioration of judicial independence in Hong Kong, especially since the 2020 implementation of the comprehensive National Security Law.

In recent years, a number of foreign justices have left the Court of Final Appeal, citing increasing political unease in the city. They included British justices Jonathan Sumption and Lawrence Collins, as well as former Canadian Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin.

Sumption cautioned that judges were being “intimidated” by the government’s emphasis on national security, while Collins expressly cited the growing political pressure.

Chow, who has been behind bars since September 2021, was earlier sentenced to 15 months in prison for her involvement in planning the 2021 Tiananmen vigil, according to Radio Free Asia. With possible accusations under the National Security Law that might result in up to 10 additional years in prison, she stands at even greater legal risk.

Fears that Hong Kong’s once-strong rule of law is gradually being weakened have increased as a result of the crackdown on public dissent, which includes the prohibition of pro-democracy gatherings.

Chow’s bold court appearance highlights Hong Kong’s widening political rift, as Beijing’s growing hold on the city results in a growing persecution of dissident voices.