Ten years in jail: Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong sentenced over foreign collusion

Ten-year sentence imposed

High court Judge William Tam handed down the sentence on Thursday. He characterized Wong’s conduct as serious and said Wong helped draw foreign governments’ attention to support the cause.

Wong pleaded guilty to foreign collusion. The prosecution marks his second case under Hong Kong’s national security law, according to the report.

Existing prison term

Wong is also serving four years and eight months in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion. That sentence, imposed in November 2024, concerned his part in an unofficial primary election.

He has been imprisoned since 2020 and has spent nearly six years in detention. Before the new ruling, he was expected to be released in January 2027.

Responses to the ruling

A statement from Law expressed sadness over Wong receiving another sentence for peaceful advocacy for democracy in Hong Kong. Amnesty International deputy regional director Sarah Brooks said the ruling showed the national security law being used to punish dissent, rather than protect security.

The law was introduced by Beijing the year after 2014, with authorities saying it was needed to restore stability. Critics say it has targeted political opposition, civil society groups and independent media.

A prominent protest figure

Wong, 30, became internationally known during the 2014 Umbrella protests. The demonstrations halted activity in the city’s financial centre and inspired many young people. In October 2014, Time magazine featured him on its cover under the headline “The Face of Protest.”