**Hong Kong PolyU Siege: Final 8 Protesters Receive Jail Sentences**
A Hong Kong court has handed down jail sentences to the last eight protesters who were charged with rioting near the Polytechnic University during a police siege in 2019. This marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal process that began following the intense clashes between police and protesters at the PolyU campus in November 2019. The eight defendants were sentenced to up to four-and-a-half years in prison, with a police officer involved in the prosecution describing the case as “unprecedented.”
**Challenges Faced During the Trial**
The protest near PolyU in Yau Ma Tei on November 18, 2019, resulted in the arrest of 213 individuals who were later charged with rioting. The legal proceedings for this group were split into 17 court cases, lasting over two years. Deputy District Judge Peony Wong presided over the trial and ultimately handed down jail terms ranging from 50 to 54 months to the final eight protesters. The defendants had been found guilty in May after a trial, while three others were acquitted.
In addition to these eight protesters, twelve individuals had pleaded guilty prior to trial in December and were subsequently sentenced to 36 to 40 months in jail. The legal process surrounding this case has been extensive, with the first trial commencing in April 2022 and involving over 500 witnesses and 5,000 pieces of evidence.
**Police Response and Public Safety Concerns**
Following the sentencing, police superintendent Wong Yick-lung emphasized the unprecedented nature of the case, citing the challenges presented by the scale and complexity of the situation. The efforts to maintain public safety during the protests were significant, with a total of 213 individuals facing legal consequences for their involvement. Of those charged, 189 received jail terms ranging from 29 to 64 months, while 11 minors were sentenced to correctional training. Six individuals were acquitted, and seven remain at large.
Superintendent Wong highlighted the importance of upholding the law while exercising rights to assembly and freedom of speech. The protests that erupted in June 2019 were initially sparked by an extradition bill that has since been withdrawn. However, the demonstrations evolved into broader calls for democracy and accountability, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement officials.
**Legal Rulings and Sentencing**
Judge Wong noted in her judgment that the protesters were well-prepared for the unrest, as evidenced by the defensive items they carried, such as helmets and gas masks. The riot that ensued resulted in injuries to several police officers, with protesters hurling petrol bombs in a densely populated area. While the defendants were not directly linked to these acts, their possession of defensive gear during the protests influenced the sentencing.
The eight protesters received varying jail terms, with some individuals receiving reductions in their sentences based on specific circumstances. Police have been actively pursuing legal action against individuals involved in the 2019 protests, resulting in over 10,000 arrests and nearly 3,000 prosecutions. The ongoing legal process has seen hundreds of individuals charged with rioting, with varying outcomes in terms of convictions and acquittals.
**Conclusion**
The sentencing of the final eight protesters in the PolyU siege case marks a significant milestone in the legal aftermath of the 2019 protests in Hong Kong. The extensive legal process and outcomes of these cases underscore the lasting impact of the events that unfolded during that period. As Hong Kong continues to grapple with issues of political unrest and calls for greater freedoms, the legacy of the 2019 protests serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding public dissent and law enforcement responses.
