Hong Kong Student Activist Jailed For 43 Months For Secession, Money Laundering - Reports

Hong Kong Student Activist Jailed for 43 Months for Secession, Money Laundering - Reports

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BEIJING (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 23rd November, 2021) The former leader of Hong Kong pro-independence group Studentlocalism Tony Chung was sentenced to 43 months in jail for separatism and money laundering under the Hong Kong national security law, the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

Tony Chung Hon-lam is a 20 year old Hong Kong student who founded pro-independence group Studentlocalism in April 2016. According to the prosecution, Chung tried to separate Hong Kong from China or to illegally change the city's constitutional status in the period from June 1, 2020, to October 27, 2020.

Studentlocalism was officially terminated several hours before the Hong Kong national security law passed in Beijing on June 30, 2021, but the prosecution noted that Chung continued to engage in separatist activities, such raising money through crowdfunding platforms to support his political agenda, which became the foundation of money laundering charges.

Chung entered a plea bargain and admitted his guilt on secession charges and one count of money laundering. The plea bargain saved him from spending another 15 months in jail.

Tony Chung has become the third citizen of Hong Kong to be sentenced under the Hong Kong national security law.

The Hong Kong national security law was adopted by the mainland Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on June 30, 2021. The law outlines rules for the prevention, suppression and punishment of four types of crimes committed in Hong Kong, including secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign organizations.