Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong sentenced to 10 years in jail

Court adds a decade to sentence

Hong Kong’s High Court convicted Joshua Wong of colluding with foreign entities in breach of the city’s national security law. The court announced the ruling on Thursday. Wong, a pro-democracy activist who has been in prison since 2020, received another 10 years behind bars. He had been expected to be released in January 2027, two months after the sentence was announced.

Judge explains the prison term

Wong admitted the charge in September. Judge William Tam said he began with a proposed 13-year term, then reduced it to 10 years in light of the guilty plea and mitigating circumstances.

Tam said the punishment should reflect the seriousness of the crime. He also said the court needed to show the community’s condemnation of Wong’s actions with others, which the judge described as a scheme to endanger national security through collusion with foreign forces or external elements.

International criticism follows ruling

The United States consulate in Hong Kong condemned the additional prison term and urged Wong’s immediate release. Its statement came after the court delivered the sentence. Taiwan’s top China policy body accused Beijing and the Hong Kong government of using authoritarian measures to pursue political persecution and restrict legitimate rights. Amnesty International said the additional term showed how the national security law was being used to punish dissent.