Hong Kong Court Hands Down Hefty Sentences to Pro-Democracy Activists, Drawing International Criticism
Martin Lee, an 82-year-old barrister who has been dubbed the “father of democracy” in Hong Kong, was among a group of activists being sentenced for organizing and participating in an unauthorized assembly in 2019 during the height of the anti-Beijing, pro-democracy movement.
Lee was handed a suspended sentence of 11 months for being part of a protest on Aug. 18, 2019. Three other activists were given suspended sentences: Margaret Ng (12 months), Albert Ho (12 months), and Leung Yiu-chung (8 months). All four were former opposition lawmakers in Hong Kong.
Jimmy Lai, 72, the owner of local paper Apple Daily, was given a 12-month sentence. Lee Cheuk-yan, 64, former lawmaker and chairman of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was also given a 12-month sentence.