On Friday, in a landmark sentencing for the city four days after he was found guilty of inciting secession and terrorist activities, 24-year-old Tong was handed the custodial jail term by the High Court, reports Hong Kong Free Press.

With his sentencing, the first-ever trial under the security legislation which was enacted on June 30 last year, came to an end.

The three justices – Esther Toh, Anthea Pang and Wilson Chan – are among a pool of judges handpicked by Chief Executive Carrie Lam to handle national security cases. Under the security law, offences linked to secession, subversion, collusion with foreign forces and terrorist activities carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, reports Hong Kong Free Press.

Hong Kong has witnessed protests for the past several months against China over numerous issues including national security law.