"Hong Kong Alliance" (the Alliance) and its three leaders, Lee Cheuk-yan, Ho Chun-yan and Chow Hang-tung, have been charged with "incitement to subversion". They were sentenced at 10 am on Friday (Sept. 11) at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts, which is temporarily serving as the High Court.
The Alliance was fined HK$1.5 million, payable within three months. Lee was sentenced to seven years in prison, Ho to five years and two months, and Chow to seven years and three months.
According to what the prosecution revealed on the day of mitigation, after deducting the days served in other cases, as of today, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung have been in custody for 1,442 and 1,418 days respectively, while Ho Chun-yan, who was granted bail for about seven months, has been in custody for 1,301 days. Assuming no remission of sentence, Lee Cheuk-yan is expected to be released in Sept. 2029, Ho Chun-yan in April 2028, and Chow Hang-tung in Jan. 2030. At the time of their release, they will be between 45 and 76 years old.
Steve Li, Chief Superintendent of the Police National Security Department, told the media that the Hong Kong Alliance had been struck off the company register by the Registrar of Companies in Oct. 2021, and its assets are now being handled by the Official Receiver. Of the HK$2.2 million in assets confiscated, in addition to a HK$1.5 million fine to be paid within three months, other costs including legal fees must also be covered.
Steve Li also stressed that the ruling demonstrates the SAR government's determination to safeguard national security. With national security consolidated, Hong Kong's economy and society have continued to develop steadily, multiple indicators have continued to improve, and the freedom of speech and other rights of the majority of citizens are fully protected.
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'HK Alliance' leaders sentenced to up to 7 years 3 months over subversion case
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