Twenty pro-democracy activists, including prominent student leaders Joshua Wong and Lester Shum, were today convicted of contempt of court for ignoring a court order to clear the Mong Kok Occupy protest site in 2014, according to reports.
Nine of those on trial at the High Court were found guilty, while 11 others — including Wong and Shum — had earlier admitted to the charge, RTHK reported.
Wong, the secretary general of Demosisto, is already serving a prison sentence for his role in the protests, which sparked the Occupy Central movement in September 2014.
Vice chairman of the League of Social Democrats, Raphael Wong, and prominent members of the group Chan Po-ying and Kwan Siu-wang were also convicted today.
Raphael Wong was already jailed over a demonstration earlier in 2014, during which protesters against a controversial development project in the New Territories stormed the Legislative Council.
Today’s contempt conviction related to the defendants’ obstruction of the work of bailiffs acting on a court injunction to clear occupied roads in Mong Kok in November 2014.
The site, scene of some of the most violent clashes during the demonstrations, was a major base for Occupy protesters at the time.
Hong Kong Free Press reported that Judge Andrew Chan adjourned the mitigation and sentencing hearings to a later date.
Wong, who today celebrated his 21st birthday, will be transferred to an adult prison, HKFP reported.
Shum, deputy secretary general of the Hong Kong Federation of Students, said outside the court that he was prepared for prison, the outlet said.
Reader Interactions