Three pro-democracy activists jailed in HK

Joshua Wong, 24, one of Hong Kongis more prominent democracy activists, was jailed on Wednesday for more than 13 months for an illegal anti-government demonstration in 2019, the harshest and highest-profile sentence for a opposition figure this year.

Wong’s sentencing comes as critics say the Beijing-backed government is stepping up its crackdown on Hong Kong’s opposition and undermining the far-reaching freedoms guaranteed after the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997. loading authorities in Beijing and rejection of Hong Kong.

In reaction to the court ruling, British Foreign Minister Dominic Raab urged the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities to halt their campaigns to quell the opposition.

Wong had pleaded guilty to organizing and inciting an illegal gathering near the city’s police headquarters during the height of the sometimes violent demonstrations in June of last year. He faced a maximum of three years in jail.

“I know the next few days will be tougher. We will hold on,” yelled Wong, dressed in a black sweater and a surgical mask, after the sentence was read.

“It’s not the end of the fight,” Wong later said through his lawyers.

“Ahead of us is another challenging battlefield. Now we join the battle in the prison alongside many brave, less visible but essential protesters in the fight for democracy and freedom in Hong Kong.”

Wong’s former colleagues Agnes Chow, 23, and Ivan Lam, 26, were jailed for a total of 10 and seven months, respectively, on charges related to the same site as thousands of protesters surrounded the police headquarters. on June 21 to demand the The government withdraws an extradition bill now shelved. AGENCIES