Chairperson of the pro-Beijing DAB party Starry Lee has said that jailed democracy activists Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow have “paid the price” for their disregard of the law.
On Thursday, Wong, Law, and Chow were jailed over their involvement in a clash which sparked the 2014 pro-democracy Umbrella Movement protests, following a successful appeal of their sentences by the Department of Justice.
“The outcome of this appeal decision demonstrates that perpetrators of any illegal and violent action must pay the legal price, and serves as another warning to Hong Kong citizens that they should not risk defying the law,” said Lee on Facebook.
See more: Hong Kong jails Joshua Wong and democracy activists over 2014 Umbrella Movement protests
“Hong Kong is a society that abides by the rule of law. I support the decision of the appeal judgement, and think that it sends the correct message to society, correcting some people’s belief in and spreading of the false idea that as long as you have good intentions, you can engage in illegal and violent actions, and the court will not impose heavy punishments,” said Lee.
‘Silver lining of justice’
Outspoken pro-Beijing activist and former journalist Robert Chow also said that Thursday’s judgement had “returned to Hong Kong the fairness of the rule of law,” on a blog post on HKGPao.
“Please understand: I do not think we should be happy about this instance of justice being administered in accordance with the law! Instead, I am worried, because I am asking: Who worked behind the scenes to poison and brainwash Wong, Law, and Chow, along with thousands of young people, to make them delight in seeing the country and Hong Kong as enemies, in having made Hongkongers suffer for the last three years?”
See more: 10 reactions to Hong Kong’s jailing of democracy figures Joshua Wong, Nathan Law & Alex Chow
“In this moment, I understand that everyone is breathing a sigh of relief, because we have finally seen the silver lining of justice, but what about tomorrow? Are there already people conspiring to use the joint checkpoint arrangement or another reason to plunge our home into the abyss?” asked Chow. “When will Hong Kong be safe and peaceful?”
The appeal court on Tuesday also jailed 13 protesters involved in a June 2014 clash over the northeast New Territories development plans. The Department of Justice had applied for a similar review of their community service sentences, arguing that the events bordered on a riot.
