You will face justice: Hong Kong leader CY Leung's stark message on illegal protests a year after Occupy Central

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on Tuesday vowed to bring anyone who staged an illegal demonstration to justice, after veterans of the Occupy Central movement marked the first anniversary of the 79-day sit-ins for democracy.

Leung was questioned about the matter before an Executive Council meeting, the day after scores of people, many carrying yellow umbrellas, gathered in Admiralty to mark one year since police fired tear gas at protesters.

READ MORE: Hong Kong activists mark protest anniversary

“We welcome any means of expression. But any illegal means of expression will be punished by the law,” Leung said in a two-minute speech.

Leung reiterated the government’s stance that political reform in the city must abide by the Basic Law and a decision made by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in August.

READ MORE: Keep torch of democracy alive, Occupy leaders tell Hongkongers

The committee’s ruling – that Hongkongers could elect their chief executive in 2017, but only from a shortlist of two or three selected by a nominating committee – helped spark the protests. A reform package based on that model was voted down by lawmakers in June.