Former Studentlocalism convenor Tony Chung sentenced to three years and seven months for secession and money laundering

Hong Kong political activist Tony Chung hon lam, was jailed for 43 months for violating National Security Law and money laundering after pleading guilty to secession. Judge Chan Kwong Chi described Chung’s act as deceiving and a waste of effort.

Chung, former Studentlocalism and Initiative Independence Party convenor, was arrested on Oct. 27 last year near the US consulate in Hong Kong, pleaded guilty on Nov. 3 stating “I have no shame in my heart” and on the court for sentence at District Court today. 

He pleaded guilty to the charge of secession and money laundering for around 135 thousand in Paypal, and the charges of conspiracy to publish seditious materials and money laundering for 500 thousand in HSBC were left on file under a plea bargain.

Chung, former Studentlocalism and Initiative Independence Party convenor, was arrested on Oct. 27 last year near the US consulate in Hong Kong, pleaded guilty on Nov. 3 stating “I have no shame in my heart” and on the court for sentence at District Court today. 

He pleaded guilty to the charge of secession and money laundering for around 135 thousand in Paypal, and the charges of conspiracy to publish seditious materials and money laundering for 500 thousand in HSBC were left on file under a plea bargain.

Chung was placed in the second sentencing bracket of three to seven years under active participation in the crime of the national security law, and a year and six months for the charge of money laundering (three months served non-concurrently), in total 43 months.

The defendant intercede was taken into consideration, including Chung’s mother letter of pleading, the argument of Chung’s advocacy of Hong Kong independence on social media does not directly encourage violent acts in real life and have less impact than traditional political parties, but the judge said according to Article 20 in National Security Law, the act of undermining national unification included both by force and not by force.

“The defendant thought stopping Hong Kong’s operation before National Security Law implementation, and setting up social media page for US branch of Studentlocalism, it is deceiving and a waste of effort,” Chan said.

He also stated that the sentence only took Chung’s act after July 1 2020, which is the implementation of the National Security Law, but some audits do not think so.

“The sentence is expected, but not reasonable, and Chan definitely took acts before NSL into consideration,” an audit Kelvin said.

Chan Kei-kau, or known as Uncle Chan, also audited. He was disappointed with the sentence and thought there was nothing can do now, only hoping Chung will treasure his life after being released from jail. 

Judge Chan mentioned a violent threat he received last week, said Hong Kong will not tolerate acts against the law and  “everyone will pay for what they’ve done”,  the audit bursted into laughter and some shouted against the judge, soon stopped by security.