Ms Wong also came to the Hong Kong Supreme Court building. She is not related to Joshua Wong. But she says she is fascinated by him. Joshua Wong helped organize youth and student protests against China's increasing influence in Hong Kong a good ten years ago.
He paid a high price for his commitment, says Ms. Wong. "Many here think he should be released immediately. He is in prison for his beliefs and for political injustice."
It is the second time Joshua Wong has been convicted under the so-called "national security law." A law that, according to observers, primarily serves to silence critical voices towards the Communist Party in Beijing.
Wong is already serving more than four years in prison for "conspiring to subvert state power," according to the verdict. This punishment is actually supposed to end next year.
Shortly before 11:00 a.m. the judge announced the verdict: another ten years in prison. Also because Joshua Wong worked with other people between July and November 2020 to persuade foreign forces to take hostile actions against Hong Kong and China, according to the official reason. Wong had pleaded guilty to this - actually in the hope of a less harsh sentence.
But this hope for a lighter sentence was not fulfilled, even though the court reportedly recognized Wong's remorse and rehabilitation. Theoretically, the maximum sentence would be life.
Groups such as Human Rights Watch and the Hong Kong Democracy Council have sharply criticized the ruling, calling it cruel. The head of the Hong Kong police, Steve Li Kwai-Wah, then praised the decision and told the convicted activist: "I very much hope that he uses his time in prison to reflect on his actions and misdeeds." The police officer said he had to learn to respect the law and understand his own country.
By Wong's own country, the police chief means the People's Republic of China and by the law the "national security law" that the communist state and party leadership imposed on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2020. Also in response to the fact that a pro-democracy wave had strengthened in Hong Kong in the previous months. Wong was the face of the movement - especially abroad.
Wong organized support, was an interview guest in the media and met Western politicians such as the then spokesman for human rights for the CDU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Michael Brand, in 2019.
However, such contacts can quickly become problematic when interpreting the national “security law”. Leo Lee, who has come to the Supreme Court in Hong Kong, also sees this. "I've seen how things have changed here, how laws are increasingly restricting our freedom of movement. I think we have to do our part to fight for democracy," says the 19-year-old.
Shortly after the “security law” came into force in the summer of 2020, Wong suspected that the situation would probably be difficult for him. At that time, he said: “Perhaps the time in which I can fight for the freedom of Hong Kong is already coming to an end.” However, Wong said he will remain a proud citizen of Hong Kong because he simply loves the city. The 30-year-old continues to feel committed to the democracy movement. He would continue to fight "until the day we see a better future in our homeland," he said before his arrest six years ago.
For now, Joshua Wong will remain in prison. If the prison sentence is not reduced, the former activist would be 40 years old when he is released.
