Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong gets ten years in prison under national security law

UPDATE - follow-up to Joshua Wong, face of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests, jailed for 10 years: Joshua Wong has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for colluding with foreign forces under Hong Kong's national security law.

The Sentencing

Wong, who recently turned 30, pleaded guilty in September to charges of conspiring with other campaigners, including self-exiled activist Nathan Law, to lobby for foreign sanctions and blockades against Beijing between July and late November 2020. The judge ruled that two months and two days of the 10-year term will run concurrently with his ongoing sentence for subversion. Wong appeared in court wearing a dark blue shirt and khaki trousers, nodding to a packed public gallery and taking notes while the judge read the verdict.

Reactions and Fallout

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee called Wong and primary culprits out for undermining the city's stability and sovereignty, while Beijing's foreign ministry expressed firm support for the legal action. Critics and human rights groups strongly condemned the ruling, with Human Rights Watch Asia director Elaine Pearson calling it cruel and unjust and accusing authorities of stacking charges against leaders. Wong's friend Frances Hui expressed outrage, and former media tycoon Jimmy Lai has received the harshest sentence under the law thus far at 20 years.

Context

The national security law was imposed in 2020 following large pro-democracy protests against Beijing's control over the territory. Critics argue that the sweeping legislation has severely silenced political dissent, while authorities maintain it is essential for public stability.