HK democracy activist jailed for 10 more years

Democracy activist Joshua Wong was sentenced to an additional ten years in prison in Hong Kong yesterday for alleged collaboration with foreign entities. Wong, who gained international recognition during the 2014 Umbrella Movement, has been incarcerated for nearly six years and is slated for release in late 2036. The 30-year-old, who previously expected release in January after serving four years and eight months for subversion under the Chinese national security law, was charged again in June of last year.

He was accused of collusion with other countries and entities to impose sanctions against Hong Kong and China under the same legislation. The court described Wong and fellow student leader Nathan Law as "two ringleaders or masterminds" of a conspiracy to endanger national security. Judge William Tam deemed Wong's offense of "grave nature," initially suggesting a life sentence, but reduced it to ten years due to his guilty plea.

Wong thanked his supporters as he left the courtroom, with some weeping and expressing their anticipation of his release. Human Rights Watch condemned the sentence as "cruel and unjust" and called on foreign governments to impose targeted sanctions on officials responsible for Hong Kong's increasing repression.