Hong Kong student jailed 8 weeks for role in illegal protest in 2020

Lee, who pleaded guilty last month, joined more than 100 protesters at the shopping centre in Kwun Tong to chant anti-government slogans and drum up support for mass demonstrations on July 1, the anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule in 1997.

The student was among a few participants holding banners and flags that called for Hong Kong’s independence.

The protest took place just hours before the national security law, which criminalises the promotion of the city’s separation from China, came into force at 11pm on June 30.

Lee was arrested after ignoring police warnings to disperse, but was granted unconditional release after officers decided not to charge him at the first instance.

The student was placed on the force’s wanted list after leaving the city in August 2021.

He did not return until July 15 this year, when he was arrested at the city’s airport. He was brought to court the next day.

The defence said Lee was pursuing a bachelor's degree in nutrition and was willing to return to Hong Kong and take responsibility despite knowing three other defendants in the case had also been jailed.

Police have arrested 10,279 people in connection with the unrest as of May this year, but only 2,961 have been charged.

A police spokesman said in an earlier reply to the Post the force would “handle the remaining cases in accordance with the law”.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice has said it had offered legal advice and instructions to police before 2022 for all cases related to the 2019 protests.