Umbrella Movement: Hong Kong jails eight leaders from pro-democracy protest
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A court in Hong Kong has sentenced eight leaders of the massive 2014 Umbrella Movement pro-democracy protests to up to 16 months in prison on public nuisance charges. The sentences come after China’s Communist Party leaders have put Hong Kong’s autonomy under increasing strain, stoking concern among foreign governments, business people and rights groups. “The long sentences send a chilling warning to all that there will be serious consequences for advocating for democracy,” said Maya Wang, Hong Kong-based chief researcher for China at Human Rights Watch. “The Beijing and Hong Kong authorities appear intent on eliminating the only pocket of freedoms on Chinese soil.” The defendants had all pleaded not guilty, calling the prosecutions politically motivated.