Hong Kong's highest court dismissed an appeal by two pro-independence lawmakers contesting their disqualification from the legislature last year on Friday, effectively ruling out their return to the political fold in the Chinese-ruled city.
China's parliament made a controversial interpretation of Hong Kong's mini-constitution that effectively barred Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching from taking office. A Hong Kong court ruled they hadn't taken their oaths of office properly after inserting several digs at China.
In July, four other pro-democracy lawmakers were also disqualified for improper oath-taking.