Hong Kong national security law: 4 members of pro-independence group Student Politicism get up to 3 years’ jail, detention for urging ‘struggle’ against government
- District Court judge imposes penalties after ruling their case was not so serious as to warrant lengthy sentences
- A common theme of the group’s speeches was to ‘invite’ audiences to join ‘struggle’ against those in power to establish an independent state
Four members of a now-defunct student activist group advocating Hong Kong independence and a “struggle” against authorities have been sentenced to up to three years in jail or detention at a correctional facility under the national security law.
A District Court judge hand-picked by the city’s leader to adjudicate national security proceedings on Saturday imposed penalties on the quartet from Student Politicism, after ruling their case was not so serious as to warrant lengthy sentences.
Group convenor Wong Yat-chin and secretary Chan Chi-sum, both 21, were jailed for 36 and 34 months, respectively.
Spokeswoman Jessica Chu Wai-ying, 19, received 2½ years behind bars after withdrawing her initial pleading for a non-jail sentence.
Another spokeswoman, Alice Wong Yuen-lam, 20, will spend up to three years at a training centre, which focuses on vocational development. The usual period of detention in such a facility is 1½ years, which can rise to three years at the discretion of the prison service.