A man was sentenced to four years in prison, which is the harshest verdict against a local protestor.
A Hong Kong court on Friday sentenced a radical participant in last year’s anti-government protests to four years in prison. This was reported by RTHK radio station.
A 22-year-old man who worked as a lifeguard on the beach was found guilty of committing a crime under the article on riots. He was involved in clashes with police outside the Legislative Council on June 12 last year.
To date, this is the harshest sentence handed down in Hong Kong against a participant in a protest movement and the first time he has been prosecuted under the riot article. This is a much more serious criminal offence under local law than participation in illegal gatherings. It carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
In recent days, as the epidemiological situation in Hong Kong has improved, there have been renewed signs of an increase in protest movements.