Student activist Tony Chung jailed for 43 months for secession and money laundering

Former convenor of disbanded activist group Studentlocalism, Tony Chung Hon-lam, was on Tuesday jailed for 43 months for secession and money laundering. 

Chung, 20, pleaded guilty to secession and money laundering in District Court three weeks ago. 

The two charges accused him of planning, organizing, and taking part in activities that aim to separate Hong Kong from China between July 1 and October 27, 2020, and for handling about HK$135,000 of crime proceeds in an account of PayPal HK Ltd between January 19, 2018, and October 27, 2020. 

Today in District Court, national security judge Stanley Chan Kwong-chi alleged that Chung used the suspected crime proceeds for his own gain, as if withdrawing money from an automatic teller machine, after he noted that most of the crime proceeds were transferred to Chung's personal bank account within a short period. 

Chan also believed that Chung would have continued his crime if he were not arrested. He pointed out that Chung was arrested for burning national flags in May 2019, and he committed the crimes while he was released on bail. 

In mitigation, the defense said the organization does not have a bank account, and Chung only used the money for the operations of the organization with no intention to make a profit. 

Chan, on another note, recalled that he received violent threats for the second time last week and reiterated that "Heaven is always watching what you are doing." 

Chan also warned the offenders that if they ever get caught, "have the guts to admit what you have done as you have the guts to send me the violent threats." 

The judge added Chung founded Studentlocalism in 2016 and actively took part in political activities. Chung later even became an organizer himself to plot secession activities. 

Chan continued that Chung set up a Facebook page for the US branch of Studentlocalism in July last year to display the slogan of "Hong Kong Independence, Establish Our State" and advocate the idea of separatism and recruit volunteers and raise funds. 

Chan pointed out that Chung had been selling playing cards on Facebook with the phrase "Hong Kong is not China" printed on the back of the cards and promoting the sale of sweaters with designs that call for independence. 

The defense submitted a mitigation letter from Chung's mother, saying Chung has a good character and has been a good son. The defense added Chung came from a complicated background and had no criminal record before, hoping the court would hand down a lenient sentence. 

Chung was also charged with conspiracy to distribute inciting publications and another count of money laundering involving HSBC. The two charges were left on the court file, and prosecution procedures will only continue as approved by the court.