HONG KONG (AP) — A Hong Kong court has sentenced five leading pro-democracy advocates to up to 18 months in prison for organizing and participating in a massive march during the 2019 anti-government protests that triggered an overwhelming crackdown from Beijing. A total of nine advocates were given jail terms, but four of them had their sentences suspended after their age and accomplishments were taken into consideration. They were found guilty earlier this month of organizing and participating in a massive protest in August 2019, where an estimated 1.7 million people marched in opposition to a bill that would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China. Their convictions and sentencing are another blow to the city’s flagging democracy movement.
Hong Kong democracy leaders given jail terms amid crackdown
