Shiu Ka-chun And Raphael Wong Released From Jail

League of Social Democrats vice-chairman Raphael Wong and social welfare sector lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun have been released after serving their eight-month jail sentences over their role in the pro-democracy Occupy protests five years ago.

They were greeted outside Stanley Prison by the co-founders of the Occupy movement, Benny Tai and Reverend Chu Yiu Ming, as well as other members of the pan-democratic camp. They shared hugs and sang the extradition bill protest anthem, Glory to Hong Kong.

Shiu thanked everyone who had turned up, saying that while life behind bars was extremely difficult and he lost 22 pounds in jail, his belief in democracy hadn't changed.

Wong, meanwhile, expressed support for anti-government protesters, saying they simply wanted to fight for a democratic and just society. He said there are no rioters in the city, only a tyrannical regime.

The League of Social Democrats vice-chairman also urged the SAR administration to stop disqualifying people from elections, with the district council polls coming up.

Shiu and Wong were sentenced to eight months in prison in last April after being each convicted of incitement to commit a public nuisance and incitement to incite a public nuisance, for their role in the pro-democracy movement in 2014.

Tai is on bail pending an appeal against his conviction. Along with Chan Kin-man – who is still behind bars – Tai was given a 16-month prison term by the District Court.

Chu was given a suspended prison term, along with Civic Party legislator Tanya Chan, former lawmaker Lee Wing-tat, and former student leaders Eason Chung and Tommy Cheung.