The High Court on September 4 delivered a landmark verdict, convicting three masterminds behind a chilling plot to bomb a hospital and key border facilities. 

After nearly a year of trial, a jury reached a majority decision, finding three defendants -- Ho Cheuk-wai, Lee Ka-pan, and Cheung Ka-chun -- guilty of orchestrating a calculated terrorist attack aimed at causing mass casualties and disrupting public safety.

The case revealed a highly organized group that had stockpiled dangerous chemicals and explosives. 

Prosecutors presented extensive evidence, including physical items, expert reports, and Telegram group chats, showing the group rented units to store over a ton of chemicals like potassium nitrate and magnesium powder, used to make homemade bombs. They also possessed high-grade explosives and protective gear, indicating meticulous planning.

The group targeted critical locations, including Caritas Medical Centre’s emergency room, where a bomb was placed to disrupt life-saving operations. With many immobile patients inside, the potential for devastation was immense. 

Another device was found on a train to Lo Wu station, threatening to paralyze a busy border crossing. 

A 20-kilogram bomb, laced with screws and nails for maximum harm, was planned for a memorial event in Tseung Kwan O, risking widespread casualties.

Police intervention was pivotal, with swift action based on intelligence preventing a catastrophe. 

The group’s Telegram discussions revealed detailed planning, including explosive recipes and tests to maximize destruction.

Experts testified that even small amounts of their devices could sever limbs, with added shrapnel intended to amplify the carnage.

The verdict has sparked widespread attention, with politicians emphasizing the threat of terrorism in public spaces. While some defendants were acquitted due to legal complexities, the conviction of the masterminds underscores that justice prevails. 

A police spokesperson hailed the ruling as proof of robust evidence, while legal experts stressed the need for strong laws like the Hong Kong National Security Law to combat such threats, ensuring public safety and deterring future plots.