{
  "id": 6785191,
  "title": "Hong Kong sentences Tiananmen activists to between 5 and 7 years in jail",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kong-sentences-tiananmen-activists-to-between-5-and-7-years-in-6785191",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T17:18:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/09/1530870/hong-kong-sentences-tiananmen-activists-between-5-and-7-years-jail"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court handed three Tiananmen vigil activists jail sentences of between five and seven years on Friday for national security crimes, drawing international condemnation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "Hong Kong home prices headed for 15% gain this year, Midland forecast says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/hong-kong-home-prices-headed-for-15-gain-this-year-midland-forecast",
        "published": "2026-09-10T23:00:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Hong Kong court sentences Tiananmen vigil activists to between 5 and 7 years in jail",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kong-court-sentences-tiananmen-vigil-activists-to-between-5-and",
        "published": "2026-09-11T01:49:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Hong Kong's Tiananmen activists sentenced to up to seven years in prison",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kongs-tiananmen-activists-sentenced-to-up-to-seven-years-in",
        "published": "2026-09-11T02:49:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nikkei Asia",
        "title": "Hong Kong Tiananmen vigil organizers sentenced to up to 7 years, 3 months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kong-tiananmen-vigil-organizers-sentenced-to-up-to-7-years-3",
        "published": "2026-09-11T03:41:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Hong Kong sentences Tiananmen activists to between 5 and 7 years in jail",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kong-sentences-tiananmen-activists-to-between-5-and-7-years-in",
        "published": "2026-09-11T03:50:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Hong Kong court sentences 3 Tiananmen vigil organizers to prison",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kong-court-sentences-3-tiananmen-vigil-organizers-to-prison",
        "published": "2026-09-11T06:42:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Hong Kong Tiananmen activists sentenced up to 7 years",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kong-tiananmen-activists-sentenced-up-to-7-years",
        "published": "2026-09-11T08:40:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Hong Kong’s Tiananmen activists sentenced to up to seven years in prison",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/hong-kongs-tiananmen-activists-sentenced-to-up-to-seven-years-in-6793792",
        "published": "2026-09-11T19:13:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}