The Court of Appeal’s ruling to jail three activists vindicates the Department of Justice’s decision to seek a review of their original sentences.
Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen made the statement to the media today, noting the department’s application for a review was necessary to clarify legal principles and guidelines for sentencing of these kinds of cases.
Joshua Wong, Alex Chow and Nathan Law were jailed yesterday for storming "Civic Square" in 2014.
The Department of Justice applied to the Court of Appeal for a review because it felt the non-custodial sentences handed out by the lower court did not have a sufficient deterrent effect.
Mr Yuen said the entire judicial process concerning the case, from prosecution to the department’s application for review, was open and transparent.
He reiterated there was no political motive involved.