Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Figure Joshua Wong Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Joshua Wong, once the most recognizable face of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The ruling was handed down under the city’s sweeping national security law, with prosecutors stating he colluded with foreign forces by conspiring with other campaigners to lobby for international sanctions and blockades against Beijing.

Having already spent the last six years behind bars on previous convictions, including subversion, Wong was due to be freed early next year. Instead, he will now spend another decade in prison. The latest charges stem from activities that took place between July and late November 2020. Wong pleaded guilty to the charges in September.

During Thursday’s court appearance, Wong wore a dark blue shirt and black-rimmed glasses, appearing slimmer than in past public appearances. He calmly nodded to the packed public gallery and took intermittent notes while the judge delivered the sentence. A heavy police presence secured the area as dozens of supporters queued for hours to attend the hearing.

Wong’s activism began during his teenage years. He co-founded the student activist group Scholarism at age 14, successfully leading protests against mandatory patriotic education in 2012. By 2014, he was at the forefront of the Umbrella Movement. Along with fellow activists like Nathan Law, he later co-founded the now-defunct political party Demosisto.

Human rights organizations and international critics have strongly condemned the ruling. Human Rights Watch described the sentence as cruel and unjust, alleging that authorities are stacking charges against prominent leaders to suppress dissent. Meanwhile, authorities defend the national security legislation as a necessary measure to maintain regional stability. Further details are available on Nile Post.