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WORLD NEWS Wednesday 10 april 2019

9 leaders of Hong Kong pro-democracy protests found guilty

By ALICE FUNG 79 days. Thousands staked
Associated Press out encampments on ma-
HONG KONG (AP) — A jor thoroughfares. Several
Hong Kong court found hundred were arrested.
nine leaders of 2014 pro- The movement fizzled with-
democracy demonstra- out winning concessions
tions guilty Tuesday on from the Hong Kong gov-
public nuisance and other ernment for free elections
charges, a verdict that ac- and the pro-democracy
tivists say likely presages movement has struggled
more restrictions on free ex- to retain a high profile in re-
pression in the semi-auton- cent years.
omous Chinese territory. More than 100 supporters,
Those convicted included some raising yellow um-
law professor Benny Tai, brellas that were a symbol
retired sociology professor of the protests, gathered
Chan Kin-man and pastor Tuesday at the courthouse
Chu Yiu-ming. Two current in the West Kowloon district.
lawmakers, one former law- Tai said that was a sign the
maker, two student leaders spirit of the protests lived
and a political activist were on.
also found guilty. "I have the confidence,
The nine were leaders of many people today, with
the nonviolent "Occupy me together, we will con-
Central" campaign to de- Occupy Central leaders, from right, Benny Tai, Chan Kin-man, Chu Yiu-ming, Tanya Chan and tinue to strive for Hong
mand the right of the city's Eason Chung shout slogans before entering a court in Hong Kong, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Kong's democracy. And
population to choose its Associated Press we will persist and we will
own leader rather than not give up," Tai said.
merely approve a candi- peaceful activists, further regrets for their actions but ognized by the people of Ranging in age from their
date picked by Beijing. chilling free expression in were chiefly concerned Hong Kong," Chan said. 30s to 70s , the nine defen-
"Hong Kong courts, by la- Hong Kong," Maya Wang, with the movement's lega- Hong Kong's biggest popu- dants span generations of
beling peaceful protests in senior China researcher at cy. lar protest in recent years, Hong Kong citizens who
pursuit of rights as public Human Rights Watch, said While the verdicts will also known as the umbrella have been agitating for full
nuisance, are sending a in a statement. have an impact on the movement, laid siege to democracy. Tai, Chan and
terrible message that will Prior to the verdict's an- individuals, "we are more government headquar- Chu were found guilty of
likely embolden the gov- nouncement, Chan said concerned about how ters and paralyzed Hong conspiracy to cause a pub-
ernment to prosecute more he and the others had no this movement will be rec- Kong's financial district for lic nuisance. q
Kazakhstan to have early presidential vote in 2 months

Associated Press to seek the presidency. to political parties to nomi-
MOSCOW (AP) — Kazakh- Pundits saw him and Naz- nate presidential candi-
stan's interim president on arbayev's eldest daughter dates, but wouldn't say if
Tuesday ordered an early as the two most likely can- she would accept an offer
presidential election for didates to succeed Naz- to run for president.
June 9 following the un- arbayev. Her father took the helm in
expected resignation of Dariga Nazarbayeva, who Kazakhstan when it was still
Nursultan Nazarbayev last has been named parlia- part of the Soviet Union and
month. ment speaker after To- led it for three decades.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, kayev became acting The 78-year-old has re-
who became the acting president, has remained tained the honorary title of
head of state when Naz- coy about her plans. "Elbasy" or "Leader of the
arbayev resigned, said in Her aide said Tuesday in Nation" and is expected to
a televised address to the remarks carried by the continue to wield consid-
nation that the vote will be Tengrinews agency that erable political power as
held on June 9. she has no intention to run, chairman of the nation's Kazakhstan's interim President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, center,
Tokayev, formerly the but Nazarbayeva herself Security Council and the attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown
speaker of the upper house downplayed the statement head of the ruling Nur Otan Soldier by the Kremlin wall in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, April 4,
2019.
of parliament, hasn't yet just a few hours later. party.q Associated Press
announced his intention She noted that it will be up