Benny Tai Yiu Ting

Benny Tai Yiu-ting 戴耀廷 (56)

Former law professor at the University of Hong Kong

*Currently remanded in custody.

Benny Tai was the co-founder of the 2014 Occupy Central Movement and a leading strategist for the pro-democracy camp in Hong Kong. He was a key organiser of an election primary for Hong Kong’s opposition parties in 2019. 

Tai was previously granted a cash bail of HK$100,000 after serving 4 months of his 16-month sentence over the 2014 protests. While awaiting the outcome of the appeal against his conviction and prison sentence related to the 2014 protests, he was placed in custody in March 2021. He was one of the 47 activists charged with “subversion of state” for organizing the “35+” democratic primaries in July 2020.

On 30 April 2021, Tai lost his appeal to overturn his prison sentences of 16 months and eight months, and began to serve his sentences in jail. (Photo: HKFP)

Charges, Incidents & sentences:

• Charge: Four charges of illegal election spending under the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance

  Incident: Placing advertisements in local newspapers in the run-up to the 2016 legislative polls

  Court Date: District Court, Plea on 25 April 2022 (HKFP)

• Charge: Conspiracy to commit subversion under the National Security Law

  Incident: Organising and coordinating Hong Kong pro-democracy primary elections (July 2020)