Hong Kong protests: 7 fugitives jailed for 10 months each for thwarted escape to Taiwan
- Seven among group of 12 Hongkongers intercepted by Chinese coastguard during escape attempt in August 2020 to reach Taiwan
- Deputy District Judge Newman Wong says prison terms only appropriate option to reflect high level of premeditation and active involvement by all 12
Seven Hong Kong fugitives who were caught while trying to flee to Taiwan by boat two years ago were sentenced on Friday to 10 months in jail each for evading criminal proceedings over their roles in the 2019 anti-government protests.
Six of the defendants pleaded guilty on Thursday at West Kowloon Court to a joint count of doing an act or a series of acts tending or intended to pervert the course of public justice with their plan to seek asylum overseas in August 2020.
The six were: Liu Tsz-man, 19; Cheng Tsz-ho, 20; Cheung Chun-fu, 25; Kok Tsz-lun, 21; Cheung Ming-yu, 23; and Yim Man-him, 23. The seventh, Li Tsz-yin, 32, pleaded guilty on Friday morning.
They were among 12 Hongkongers detained across the border in the summer of 2020 after their vessel was intercepted by the national coastguard in mainland Chinese waters. The fugitives were either facing prosecution or being pursued by police over alleged offences linked to the 2019 unrest when they fled the city.
Deputy District Judge Newman Wong Hing-wai said a prison term was the only appropriate sentencing option to reflect the high level of premeditation and active involvement by all 12 members and their accomplices in the plan to abscond from the city.
“The general public has been left with an impression as to the defendants’ disdain for Hong Kong’s judicial system and challenge against the administration of justice,” he said.