Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong gets 10 years in jail on national security charge

Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong, a prominent figure in the city's pro-democracy movement, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for allegedly colluding with foreign entities under the national security law. The young protester, who has been advocating for Hong Kong's democratic rights, was part of a group whose efforts have been suppressed by Beijing's stringent law introduced in 2020 following violent demonstrations.

High Court Judge William Tam stated that the severity of the crime necessitated the sentence. He emphasized the court's disdain for the defendant's actions in conspiring with foreign forces or external elements to undermine national security. Wong, currently 30 years old, was accused of collaborating with self-exiled activist Nathan Law and others in soliciting sanctions or blockades from foreign countries, bodies, or individuals against the government.

Although Wong pleaded guilty to the charge in September, he has maintained that he was unaware of the consequences of his actions.