The sentencing of the three activists was highly controversial in Hong Kong as prosecutors overturned an earlier and more lenient sentence, leading many Hong Kongers to suspect an act of political interference.
During yesterday’s hearing, Robert Pang, who defended Law, said the sentencing would diminish activism in Hong Kong, particularly amongst students. “If we set down very long sentences, once that boundary is crossed, it will have a chilling effect,” Pang said.”The danger is it will lead to a sense of antipathy among students who want to see change.”
The 79-day Umbrella Movement brought Hong Kong’s financial district to a standstill as students and activists called for universal suffrage in the election of the city’s chief executive, its highest ranking leader.
Chief Justice Ma said the sentencing of the activists would determine if “from now on, a stricter line should be taken because people in Hong Kong don’t like this sort thing.”
Hong Kong is a former British colony and has been a special administrative region of China since 1997 although it enjoys special rights and privileges until 2047 under the “one country, two systems” agreement.
