A court in Hong Kong issued prison sentences to 12 individuals on Saturday, charged with storming the Legislative Council building during the height of anti-government protests in 2019. Hundreds of demonstrators surged into the Legislative Council on the night of July 1, 2019, the 22nd anniversary of the former British colony's return to China, vandalizing pictures and destroying furniture. Some slogans were painted in the chamber, and the region's emblem was drawn on the wall before the site was evacuated, while riot police used tear gas to clear the area before entering the building.
The 12 defendants, including former student leader Althea Suen, actor Gregory Wong, and activists Ventus Lau and Owen Chow, had previously been convicted of rioting. Some were also convicted on related charges. Judge Lee Cheuk Yan imposed sentences ranging from 4 years and 6 months to 6 years and 10 months, depending on their level of involvement and mitigating factors. Lee stated, "The legislature has a unique constitutional status, and the nature of the event was serious with far-reaching implications." The case also involved two other defendants who were journalists; they were previously acquitted of rioting but were convicted of unlawful entry into the legislature. Lee imposed fines of 1,500 Hong Kong dollars (192 USD) on one and 1,000 Hong Kong dollars (128 USD) on the other.
