Hong Kong activist Benny Tai jailed on election spending charges

Former law professor pleads guilty to buying ads backing pro-democracy lawmakers

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Pro-democracy activist Benny Tai, seen here on his way to court in March 2021, was on Tuesday sentenced to 10 months in prison for illegal election spending. © Reuters

PAK YIU, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- Former Hong Kong law professor and activist Benny Tai was sentenced to 10 months in prison Tuesday for illegal election spending aimed at boosting the number of pro-democracy lawmakers in the city's legislature.

Tai, 57, who previously served jail time for his role in organizing a 2014 sit-in protest that paralyzed downtown Hong Kong, was accused of shelling out $253,000 Hong Kong dollars ($32,200) on half a dozen newspaper advertisements that endorsed candidates for a 2016 legislative poll.

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