Lam Cheuk-ting, former Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmaker, received a three year and one month jail sentence on Thursday by Hong Kong court for the charge of rioting during the infamous 2019 Yuen Long subway station beatdown. The sentence has also sparked fresh worries about political oppression in the city.
Lam, one of dozens left injured in the July 21, 2019, attack by white-shirted men wielding rods and poles, was charged with inflaming prejudices rather than calming violence. A court found that his behavior at the scene, though he is an official in the legislature, raised hostilities rather than mediate.
A local court found that after Lam made those remarks to the attackers, the situation became worse, when he argued he made them in defense of residents. Even though Lam did not be involved in any physical violence, the judge held that his presence participated in the riotous conflict. In a letter to the court, Lam displayed no remorse or anger but regretted his family getting affected. 
Supporters of Lam milled outside the courthouse, shouting words of encouragement as Lam arrived. In the meantime, six co defendants were conceded prison phrases varying from two years and one month to two years and seven months for part in the conflict.
Lam is meanwhile serving a separate six years and nine months sentence under the National Security law, casting a shadow over Beijing’s firm control over Hong Kong’s political terrain as it emerges from the 2019 protests.
