HK court sentences organizers of 'Occupy' movement

The nine were convicted of the public nuisance-related charges on April 9. Each charge carries a maximum jail term of seven years under Hong Kong's Crimes Ordinance and the Criminal Procedure Ordinance.

Some of the eight who were sentenced, including Benny Tai, intend to appeal, their legal representatives said.

Speaking before the court's sentencing, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuetngor said the government would respect the court's decision.

Hong Kong is a society where the rule of law is always upheld, and both the government and the public must respect and strictly abide by the law, Lam said.

Lam stressed that the government respects freedom of speech, assembly and demonstration. She hoped the public would exercise their rights in an orderly manner.

The court's decision was well-received by the legal sector in Hong Kong. Senior counsel and executive councilor Ronny Tong Ka-wah said the sentencing is a victory for the rule of law and a lesson for the young people. It will also serve to deter similar illegal protests in the future, Tong said.

Under Article 79 of the HKSAR Basic Law, lawmakers could lose their seats if jailed for one month or more, once a motion to relieve them of their duties is passed by two-thirds of the Legislative Council members present.

They can also be deprived of the right to run for legislative elections for five years if the penalty exceeds three months' imprisonment, according to the Legislative Council Ordinance.

The 79-day sit-ins between September and December 2014 drew thousands of demonstrators onto the streets, paralyzing major business intersections and inflicting losses on many industries, particularly hotels, catering, transport and tourism.