Opposition activist jailed for 3 years for rioting while waiting for sentencing after pleading guilty to subversion charge

District Court judge sentences 15 on joint rioting charge in relation to the large-scale disturbance near Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2019

Prince Wong Ji-yuet, 25, received 37 months behind bars, reduced from starting point of 4½ years, owing to guilty plea and past voluntary work

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Protestors are met by rounds of tear gas fired by police guarding the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s perimeter in 2019. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:50pm, 13 Jul 2023Updated: 7:53pm, 13 Jul 2023

An opposition activist who is awaiting sentence on a subversion charge for running in an unofficial legislative primary election was on Thursday jailed for more than three years for rioting during the 2019 anti-government protests.

Former student activist Prince Wong Ji-yuet, 25, was among 12 men and three women sentenced at the District Court on a joint rioting charge in relation to the large-scale disturbance near Hong Kong Polytechnic University on November 18, 2019.

Wong received 37 months behind bars, reduced from a starting point of 4½ years, owing to her guilty plea and past voluntary work.

Thirteen others, aged 21 to 48, were jailed between 36 and 52 months, whereas a 20-year-old man got up to three years’ detention in a correctional facility because of his young age.

Prince Wong Ji-yuet has been sentenced to 3 years in jail for rioting during the 2019 anti-government protests. Photo: Getty Images

Deputy Judge Stephanie Tsui May-har highlighted protesters’ careful planning and organised actions in handing down deterrent sentences.