Jailed Hong Kong publisher and outspoken pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was handed a 14-month prison sentence Friday for encouraging participation in an unauthorized assembly in 2019.
The demonstration, which did not receive police approval before going ahead, was timed to coincide with the mainland's National Day celebrations Oct. 1, a holiday that Hong Kong started to observe after returning to China rule in 1997.
Lai, 72, is a staunch Beijing critic and his support for anti-establishment protests earned him another 14-month sentence earlier this year which he has been serving while local courts hear other charges against him.
Lai has been in prison since December after being denied bail as a possible flight risk and for allegedly colluding with foreign governments, a judge ruled.
District court Judge Amanda Woodcock, who handed Lai his first 14-month sentence in April, delivered a similar length term in a judgement Friday. Part of the latter sentence will be served consecutively, leaving Lai with 20 months' jail time.
"They did call for a peaceful, rational and nonviolent procession but how naive and unrealistic was that considering what was happening on a daily basis," Woodcock said.
"This is not with hindsight," the judge noted. "The risk was very real every day at that time."
The protests Oct. 1, 2019, were marked by violence. Police used live ammunition for the first time, while some protesters resorted to long sticks and throwing stones in protection.
Hong Kong authorities' targeting of Lai has angered diplomats and human rights observers in Western nations over the freedoms afforded people and businesses in Hong Kong.
Earlier this month, Hong Kong's chief of security sent letters to Lai as well as branches of HSBC and Citibank, according to documents shown to Reuters.
Anyone involved with the media tycoon's bank accounts will be given up to seven years in jail, the authority said.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong has shut down a June 4 vigil in Victoria park commemorating the crackdown in Tiananmen Square, organizers said.
Police objected to the event because of social distancing restrictions, which prohibit large gatherings, reports said.
Hong Kong's security minister, John Lee, warned residents not to organize or take part in unauthorized assemblies June 4 because they could be violating the national security law.
Last year, the vigil was also shut down because of public health risks. Nevertheless, thousands turned up singing songs and lighting candles. No arrests were made.
Organizers this year have urged people to light a candle no matter where they are.
