Wire reporting: (Reuters, via Bangkok Post)

A Hong Kong court on Thursday sentenced pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong to 10 years in prison for collusion with foreign forces under the city’s national security law^1,3,4.

Wong, who turned 30 last month, pleaded guilty in September^1,3. He was already in custody on a subversion sentence and had been due for release in January^1,3.

BBC said two months and two days of the new term will run concurrently with his existing sentence¹. Euronews said he is not due for release until late 2036⁴.

Prosecutors said Wong conspired with self-exiled activist Nathan Law and others between July and November 2020 to ask foreign governments to impose sanctions or other hostile measures, BBC and Bangkok Post reported^1,5.

Judge William Tam said an appropriate starting point was 13 years, reduced to 10 because of the guilty plea, Euronews reported⁴. Bangkok Post quoted him saying the court needed to express the community’s abhorrence of the scheme⁵.

In mitigation, Wong said he never advocated Hong Kong independence, never promoted the collapse of China or regime change, and never received foreign funding, Bangkok Post reported⁵.

Chief Executive John Lee said Wong and Law were among those responsible for undermining Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, BBC reported¹. Beijing’s foreign ministry said China firmly supports Hong Kong in safeguarding national security, BBC said¹. Human Rights Watch called the sentence cruel and unjust, Euronews reported⁴.