Judges yesterday handed down sentences in respect of 45 defendants who are among the so-called ‘Hong Kong 47’, accused of breaking the territory’s draconian national security law by organising a primary to select pro-democracy candidates for the 2020 election.

Benny Tai, a legal scholar who was sacked by the University of Hong Kong in 2014 for his role in pro-democracy protests, was accused of being a “principal offender” and received the harshest sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.

The other 44 defendants were given sentences ranging from four years and two months to seven years and nine months.

Those on the shortest sentences could be released in six months, as 32 of the defendants have already been in jail for more than three years.

In a statement today, the EU condemned the “politically motivated prosecution of the defendants who are being punished, in many cases with harsh prison terms, for peaceful political activity that should be legitimate in any political system that respects basic democratic principles”.

Amnesty International’s China director, Sarah Brooks, said: “No one convicted in this politically motivated case should be spending a day in jail — let alone be facing the kind of lengthy sentences meted out today.

“Months ago, we called these convictions a ‘ruthless purge’ of the opposition, and today that has been borne out. These sentences, despite going through the motions of mitigation and respect for due process, are clearly intended to punish opponents of the Hong Kong government while intimidating others who might dare to follow them.

“These harsh sentences underline the dire state of Hong Kong’s justice system. None of the 45 people sentenced have committed an internationally recognised crime — they have been jailed only for exercising their human rights.

“We call once again for their immediate and unconditional release.”