The Hongkong District Court on April 23, sentenced four 'pro-democracy' leaders for terms varying from eight to 16 months over the 2014 Occupy protests, while sparing another four custodial sentences. Of the nine who were found guilty over the 79-day pro-democracy protests which had paralysed parts of the city, the sentencing of Civic Party lawmaker Tanya Chan was postponed to June 10 after she informed the court that she is soon going in for surgery over a serious brain condition. Co-founders of the Occupy Movement, Benny Tai and Chan Kin-man, received the lengthiest sentences – 16 months in jail – for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance, while fellow movement leader Chu Yiu-ming, 75, was given a suspended prison term in light of his health and age. Tai and Chan Kin-man were also sentenced to another eight months – to be served concurrently – on a charge of inciting others to cause a public nuisance. Legislator Shiu Ka-chun received eight months behind bars, as did League of Social Democrats activist Raphael Wong. But like Chu, ex-lawmaker Lee Wing-tat, former student leaders Eason Chung and Tommy Cheung were also spared a prison term. Former Democratic Party chairman Lee and Chung had their eight-month terms suspended for two years while Cheung was given 200 hours of community service. Lawmaker Shiu won't be allowed to run in the next Legco election in 2020 if his sentence stands.
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