Hong Kong Activist Convicted for Smuggling Complaint Form from Prison

A Hong Kong court convicted pro-democracy activist Owen Chow and his solicitor Phyllis Woo for unauthorized removal of a complaint form from prison. Both pleaded not guilty but did not testify. Chow, serving over five years for the 2019 protests, faces life imprisonment for conspiracy to commit subversion.

A Hong Kong court on Monday found pro-democracy activist Owen Chow and his solicitor Phyllis Woo guilty of unauthorized removal of a complaint form from prison. The event occurred during a legal visit at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Center last year. Both Chow, 27, and Woo, 30, faced charges of 'carrying an unauthorized article out of prison.'

The duo had earlier pleaded not guilty and opted not to testify or summon witnesses. Chow already faced a lengthy prison term for his involvement in the 2019 pro-democracy protests and is one of 14 convicted of conspiracy to commit subversion in a May trial that garnered international scrutiny. Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui stated that their actions threatened the integrity of the prison security system.

According to prison rules, all document exchanges during legal visits require inspection and confirmation by correctional officers. The unauthorized 'article' was a complaint form concerning two banned Chinese Buddhism books. Despite Chow's defense arguing that complaint forms could be sent without extra authorization, the court adjourned the case to August 14 for sentencing. Chow remains in custody, while Woo is out on bail.