Hong Kong authorities have no plans to challenge the jail terms handed down to 45 pro-democracy figures convicted in the city’s largest national security case, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has said after the government warned it may appeal for longer sentences for some.
They were convicted of conspiring to commit subversion over their roles in a July 2020 election primary, through which the opposition camp hoped to identify candidates to help it win majority control of the legislature in an upcoming election.
Legal scholar Benny Tai, who judges said was the “mastermind” of the scheme, received the longest sentence of a decade behind bars. Four other activists – Owen Chow, Gordon Ng, Andrew Chiu and Gwyneth Ho – were handed sentences of at least seven years.
After the jail terms were delivered, Secretary for Security Chris Tang said that for “certain individuals,” the authorities would “thoroughly study the reasons for sentence before deciding whether to file an appeal to seek longer jail terms.”
Hong Kong activist Owen Chow. Photo: Owen Chow, via Facebook.
In total, eight of the jailed democrats have launched bids to appeal their convictions and sentences.
Activists Chow, Ng and Michael Pang; former lawmakers Helena Wong and Lam Cheuk-ting; former union leader Winnie Yu; journalist-turned-activist Ho; and ex-district councillor Clarisse Yeung have lodged appeals.
All eight had pleaded not guilty. Among them, Wong, Pang and Yeung received the shortest sentences of six years and six months.
Gwyneth Ho. File photo: Gwyneth Ho, via Facebook.
Chow was given the longest sentence of seven years and nine months, with judges ruling that he had initiated an online petition to rally “radical” candidates.
Chief Executive John Lee said the sentences “confirmed that the offence of the defendants was extremely serious and they should be severely punished.”
