Hong Kong has jailed 45 pro-democracy activists between four and 10 years for trying to take part in the election in 2020.
Pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong and winners of the democratic primaries pose for a photo op during a press conference on July 15, 2020 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo credit: Getty)
They are part of 47 activists and lawmakers who were trying to select pro-democracy candidates to take part in the legislative election in July 2020.
(Back row L-R) Agnes Chow, Anthony Wong, Tiffany Yuen, Denise Ho, Lester Shum (front row L-R) Eddie Chu, Joshua Wong, and Gregory Wong pose while compaigning during a primary election in Hong Kong on July 11, 2020. (Photo credit: Getty)
Joshua Wong, activist and former members of pro-democracy party Demosisto, arrives at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Center during an adjournment of his arraignment in Hong Kong, China, early on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. (Photo credit: Getty)
Pro-democracy demonstrators gesture the "Five demands, not one less" protest motto outside the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts during a hearing for 47 opposition activists charged with violating the citys national security law in Hong Kong, China, on Monday, March 1, 2021. (Photo credit: Getty)
Among them, law professor and activist Benny Tai was sentenced 10 years in prison, the longest ever given under the National Security Law, according to the Guardian.
The court described him as the “mastermind” in orchestrating the primary election
It also said Tai had “advocated for a revolution” through his writings and public statements, which allegedly included strategies to overthrow the government.
27-year-old activist Owen Chow was jailed for seven years and nine months, the second longest sentence in the case.
Joshua Wong, secretary-general of Hong Kong's Demosisto party and leader of the "Umbrella Movement" testifies before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China about the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)
Prominent student protest leader Joshua Wong received four years and eight months, having his sentence reduced by a third for pleading guilty.
Gwyneth Ho (C), a candidate of New Territory East, together with (from L-R) Agnes Chow, Denise Ho, Anthony Wong, Gwyneth Ho, Lester Shum, Glacier Kwong, Eddie Chu, Gregory Wong, campaign during a primary election in Hong Kong on July 11, 2020. (Photo credit: Getty)
And Gwyneth Ho, a former journalist for pro-democracy outlet Stand News who had intended to run in the elections was sentenced to seven years.
This was the largest trial ever under the national security law in Hong Kong.
Rights groups have condemned the harsh sentences, saying running in an election and trying to win is not a crime.
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
Isha Jain
