Hong Kong sentences Tiananmen activists to between 5 and 7 years in jail

Three Hong Kong activists sentenced for Tiananmen activism face between five and seven years in jail, sparking global outrage. Lee Cheuk-yan, Albert Ho, and Chow Hang-tung have been behind bars since 2021, when they were charged with national security crimes. The sentences, which include time already served, have drawn condemnation from the United Nations, rights groups, and foreign governments.

The activists, leaders of the disbanded Hong Kong Alliance, were found guilty of breaching the Chinese constitution by advocating for an end to one-party dictatorship. Despite not calling for violence or a specific timeline for change, their offense was deemed serious. The activists expressed sadness and anger, with Chow waving at supporters before being escorted out of the court.

The Hong Kong Alliance group, known for organizing vigils and a museum dedicated to the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, also had its statue, known as the Pillar of Shame, removed from the University of Hong Kong in 2021. Prosecutors sought to confiscate evidence, including the statue, which would determine its future.