A Hong Kong court has sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to ten years in prison after finding him guilty of colluding with foreign entities in breach of the city’s national security law. Wong has been held in custody since 2020.
Charges and conviction
The conviction relates to allegations that Wong colluded with overseas actors in a manner the authorities say violated the national security statute. The national security law includes provisions that criminalize collusion with foreign forces; Wong was found guilty under those provisions.
Detention and activist profile
Wong, a well-known figure in Hong Kong’s pro-democracy movement, has been in detention since 2020. His sentence follows a period of legal proceedings that culminated in the guilty verdict and the court’s decision to impose a decade-long prison term.
Implications
The sentence is one of the more severe penalties handed down under the national security framework and will keep Wong in custody for a prolonged period. The case underscores the application of the national security law to high-profile activists in Hong Kong.