HONG KONG—A Hong Kong activist dubbed “Captain America 2.0” for wielding the superhero’s shield during pro-democracy protests in 2019 had his jail sentence reduced to five years on Wednesday after winning an appeal.
High Court Chief Judge Jeremy Poon and Justices of Appeal Derek Pang and Anthea Pang, wrote in a summary that was posted on the court’s website. “The 6-year starting point adopted by the judge was manifestly excessive.
“The proper starting point should have been 5 years 3 months, and with a discretional discount of 3 months, the final sentence should be one of 5 years.”
Ma Chun-man, 31 and formerly a delivery man, was jailed for five years and nine months last November under a sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020. He was found guilty of what the communist regime in mainland China sees as “inciting secession,” due to the slogans he chanted, placards displayed, and statements he made to the media….