Democracy advocates sent to prison

AHONG Kong court sentenced five leading pro-democracy advocates, including media tycoon Jimmy Lai, to up to 18 months in prison for organising a march during the 2019 anti-government protests.

Nine advocates were given jail terms, but four of them, including 82-year-old lawyer and former lawmaker Martin Lee, had their sentences suspended.

They were found guilty earlier this month of organising and participating in a massive protest in August 2019, where an estimated 1.7 million people marched in opposition to a bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China.

Their sentences are another blow to the city’s democracy movement, which is facing an unprecedented crackdown by authorities.

The court suspended the 11-month prison sentence of Lee, 82, for two years due his age.

Lai, the founder of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily tabloid, was sentenced to 12 months in prison. He was already held on other charges, including collusion with foreign forces, a new crime under a sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong.

Lee Cheuk-yan, an activist and former lawmaker was sentenced to 12 months.

Lawyers Albert Ho and Margaret Ng had their 12-month sentences suspended for two years.

Former politician Leung Kwokhung was sentenced to 18 months, while another former legislator, Cyd Ho, was given eight months.

Two other former politicians, Au Nok-hin and Leung Yiu-chung, who previously pleaded guilty, were also sentenced. Au got 10 months while Leung’s eight-month term was