Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 years in jail | Courts News
HONG KONG — Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong, who has been incarcerated since 2020, was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison after being found guilty of colluding with foreign entities in violation of Hong Kong’s national security law. The High Court delivered the ruling on Thursday, a decision that extends Wong’s imprisonment just two months before he was initially set to be released in January 2027.
During the sentencing, High Court Judge William Tam stated, “The punishment must fit the gravity of the crime,” emphasizing the need to express the community’s condemnation of Wong’s actions, which he described as a scheme to collude with foreign forces that threatened national security.
Wong, now 30, was accused of conspiring with Nathan Law, a fellow activist currently in self-imposed exile, and others to solicit foreign intervention against the Hong Kong government, seeking sanctions and other hostile actions. Wong pleaded guilty to the charge in September, with Judge Tam initially considering a 13-year sentence. However, he reduced it to 10 years in light of Wong’s guilty plea and mitigating factors.
Wong has long been a prominent figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, gaining international attention during the protests of 2019, which were sparked by a proposed extradition bill to mainland China. Those protests evolved into a broader movement advocating for democratic reforms. Wong had previously pleaded guilty to inciting and organizing an unauthorized assembly during those protests.
The court’s ruling has drawn criticism from various governments and human rights organizations. The U.S. consulate in Hong Kong condemned the additional sentence, calling for Wong’s immediate release and characterizing his imprisonment as part of a broader pattern of silencing individuals who advocate for fundamental freedoms in the region.
Taiwan also expressed its disapproval, labeling the action as “endless political persecution” of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists. Taiwan’s top China policy body accused Beijing and the Hong Kong government of employing authoritarian measures to suppress legitimate rights and freedoms.
Human Rights Watch described the latest sentencing as cruel and unjust. Elaine Pearson, Asia director for the organization, noted that young activists seeking social change should be valued, not imprisoned. Amnesty International echoed these sentiments, stating that Wong’s increased sentence serves as a stark reminder of how Hong Kong’s national security law is being utilized to stifle dissent.
