Prominent Hong Kong pro-democracy activist released from prison

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow has been released from prison after serving more than six months behind bars.

The 24-year-old was jailed in December last year for taking part in unauthorised assemblies during huge anti-government protests in 2019.

The rallies sparked a crackdown on dissent across the region.

A crowd of journalists greeted Ms Chow as she left the Tai Lam Center for Women, in Tuen Mun, in the New Territories, Hong Kong on Saturday.

Only a small group of supporters stood outside for her as she left the maximum-security women’s prison, which is thought to be a reflection on the government’s threats to jail those it deems to be in violation of a sweeping national security law imposed on the territory by Beijing a year ago.

Ms Chow rose to prominence during the “Umbrella Movement” of 2014 when she, and activist Joshua Wong, led a student protest against proposed reforms to Hong Kong’s electoral system which would have allowed Beijing to choose candidates.

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Mr Wong is currently serving time in prison for taking part in the same unlawful anti-government rally and for taking part in a vigil to remember the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

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