Jessica Chu Wai-ying

Political Prisoner

Jessica Chu Wai-Ying 朱慧盈

Age at Arrest: 18

Former spokesperson, Student Politicism

*Currently in jail.

Jessica Chu Wai-ying was a former spokesperson for Student Politicism, one of the only pro-democracy organisations which continued to host street booths following the imposition of the 2020 National Security Law.

In September 2021, Chu was arrested under the National Security Law for conspiracy to incite others to subvert state power. During the trial for Chu and three other Student Politicism members, the prosecution listed seven street booths held by the defunct group with themes ranging from supporting the 12 Hong Kongers captured by Chinese Coast Guard as they tried to flee to Taiwan to resisting the government’s Covid-19 pandemic measures, as evidence of the group attempting to incite others to subvert state power.

Charge, Incident & sentence

Charge: Conspiracy to incite others to subvert state power
Incident: Conspiring with others to organize, plan, carry out or participate in acts aimed at subverting state power by force, the threat of use of force or other illegal means from October 2020 to June 2021
Sentencing: 30 months’ imprisonment