Hong Kong actor Gregory Wong jailed for 6 years, 2 months over Legco storming during 2019 protests

Actor among three political activists and 11 others appearing at West Kowloon Court over storming of Legco building on July 1, 2019

Deputy District Judge Li Chi-ho starts actor’s sentence at 6½ years, before reducing it on account of Wong’s past record, among other factors

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Actor Gregory Wong heads to court in February. Photo: SCMP

Published: 12:34pm, 16 Mar 2024Updated: 12:17pm, 17 Mar 2024

Corrected [12:16pm, 17 Mar, 2024]

[12:16pm, 17 Mar, 2024]
This story has been updated to reflect that 14 defendants appeared in court, not 13, and to clarify that 12 were jailed.

Hong Kong actor Gregory Wong Chung-yiu has been jailed for six years and two months for storming the Legislative Council Complex at the height of the 2019 anti-government protests.

The 45-year-old was among three political activists and 11 others who appeared at West Kowloon Court on charges of rioting and breaching the complex. Prison sentences handed down to 12 of the defendants on Saturday ranged from more than four years to six years and eight months.

Deputy District Judge Li Chi-ho said the defendants had taken part in the storming of the Legco building on July 1, 2019, to varying extents. Their crimes ranged from being present at the scene to more serious acts of sedition and playing leading roles, he said.

Although Wong was only present at the complex for less than five minutes, it did not mitigate the fact that every participant at the scene was involved in the protest, the judge added.

“Whether Wong is a celebrity or not, his presence had made it known to protesters that someone was supporting and encouraging the act,” Li said as he handed down the sentence.

The judge said the actor’s role was not the most serious, but he had still “actively participated”.