The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

Three of the activists were founders of Occupy Central With Love and Peace, one of the main groups that urged a sit-in and demanded changes to Hong Kong’s electoral system.

Background: Hong Kong was a former British colony that returned to Chinese rule in 1997 under a “one country, two systems” arrangement that allowed it more robust civil liberties than the mainland. The semiautonomous city had hoped to eventually be able to elect its leader directly, and restrictions set out by Beijing sparked the protests.

Impact: The government has prosecuted 266 people in connection with the protests so far, with 118 convictions.

Britain seeks a path, days before new Brexit deadline

Prime Minister Theresa May’s government met with officials from the opposition Labour Party to resuscitate stalled talks over a compromise plan for Britain’s withdrawal from the E.U., which is currently scheduled to take place on Friday.