Pro-democracy activist and politician Tanya Chan — who was found guilty on public nuisance charges related to the 2014 Umbrella Movement, only to have her sentencing postponed after the discovery of a large brain tumor — was handed a suspended sentence of eight months in prison today.
Taking into account the lawmaker’s need for ongoing medical care, Judge Johnny Chan ruled that a suspended sentence was appropriate, HK01 reports. The news was met with applause in the courtroom.
Tanya Chan was among nine activists who who were convicted of inciting people to take part in the protests, which saw Hongkongers occupy key thoroughfares in the city for 79 days.
The group — referred to as the “Umbrella Nine” — received sentences ranging from jail time to community service on April 24. However, Chan’s sentencing was postponed after it was revealed that doctors had found a 4.2-centimeter tumor, slightly larger than a ping-pong ball, on the left side of her brain.
Appearing at District Court this morning, Chan’s defense counsel, Wong Ching-yu, had urged the court to consider a suspended jail term, saying that although the tumor was diagnosed as benign, not all of it has been removed and it may begin growing again.
Wong added that Chan would need further radiotherapy treatment over the next three months, and that specialists have said it’s best to do the treatment five days a week for 30 consecutive sessions.
He also added that Chan — who arrived at court this morning with a walking stick and aided by a friend — needs assistance to go about her daily life, and that since she underwent surgery on May 7, complications have included double vision, difficulty balancing, and dizziness, Sing Tao reports.
During his mitigating statement, Wong also asked that, in addition to her medical needs, the judge consider Chan’s record of public service and her contribution to society as a lawmaker, according to Apple Daily.
The prosecution said that Correctional Services would ensure those in custody are provided with appropriate medical care and would refer cases to public hospitals if further treatment was needed.
In his ruling, Judge Chan noted that the lawmaker had never expressed remorse for her actions, and said he had initially decided to sentence her to nine months in prison, but had taken off one month for “good character.”
