Mastermind behind Hong Kong protest bomb plot sentenced to nearly 24 years in prison

Hong Kong’s high court sentenced Ng Chi-hung to 23 years and 10 months in prison for being the mastermind of a plot to attack police with explosives during the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Another defendant, Wong Chun-keung, was sentenced to 13 years and six months. Five others received sentences ranging between 5 years and 10 months and 12 years. The use of the U.N. anti-terrorism ordinance in this case is the first since 2002. The judge described the plan as premeditated and vicious, targeting police officers as a “declaration of war on society.” The chief superintendent of national security in Hong Kong expressed that the heavy sentences would have a deterrent effect. The defendants were accused of planning to plant bombs during a protest march, but the plan was foiled by arrests. One defendant, Lai Chun-pong, received a sentence of 10 years and 10 months. The ruling came before the sentencing of 45 democrats in a separate national security case. This case is part of China’s national security clampdown in Hong Kong.

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