Photos: Arrested at pro-democracy protest, Hong Kong couple find justice

Updated On Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Nearly a year after they were first arrested at a pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong, newlyweds Elaine To and Henry Tong were tried on charges of rioting, an offense carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in jail. Since June last year, more than 9,000 people have been arrested during similar protests, and more than 650 have been accused of rioting, one of the most serious charges. Their cases delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the accused are finally facing verdicts just weeks after China dramatically intensified its crackdown by imposing a new national security legislation on Hong Kong that includes life in prison for some political crimes. Elaine and Henry spoke to Reuters in the weeks leading up to the court ruling in their case. On July 24, they learned their fate.

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Elaine To breaks down as she is hugged by her husband Henry Tong at a restaurant in Hong Kong on July 24. They both faced rioting charges after being arrested at an anti-extradition bill protest. Since June last year, over 9,000 people have been arrested during such protests, which saw millions of people demanding to retrace the classification of protesters as “rioters” and full democracy in the Chinese-ruled territory among other demands. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine To breaks down as she is hugged by her husband Henry Tong at a restaurant in Hong Kong on July 24. They both faced rioting charges after being arrested at an anti-extradition bill protest. Since June last year, over 9,000 people have been arrested during such protests, which saw millions of people demanding to retrace the classification of protesters as “rioters” and full democracy in the Chinese-ruled territory among other demands. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Elaine and Henry look over a personalised photo book at their gym on June 25. For Valentine’s Day this year, Henry gave Elaine this photo book which holds memories of their life together. However, the book doesn’t mention the 50 hours that Henry and Elaine spent in jail in July last year, just four days before their wedding. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine and Henry look over a personalised photo book at their gym on June 25. For Valentine’s Day this year, Henry gave Elaine this photo book which holds memories of their life together. However, the book doesn’t mention the 50 hours that Henry and Elaine spent in jail in July last year, just four days before their wedding. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Elaine and Henry pose for a photograph after getting married on August 4, 2019. Arrested at a pro-democracy protest, the couple were kept in different cells at the police station, separated by a long corridor and a large wall. “We couldn’t see each other. But if we yelled loud enough, we could listen to each other’s voices,” Elaine told Reuters. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine and Henry pose for a photograph after getting married on August 4, 2019. Arrested at a pro-democracy protest, the couple were kept in different cells at the police station, separated by a long corridor and a large wall. “We couldn’t see each other. But if we yelled loud enough, we could listen to each other’s voices,” Elaine told Reuters. (Kim Kyung-Hoon / REUTERS)

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Elaine and Henry hold hands with matching tattoos on, as they pose for a photo, a day before their court ruling on July 23. Nearly a year after they were first arrested, the newlyweds were tried on charges of rioting, an offence carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in jail. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine and Henry hold hands with matching tattoos on, as they pose for a photo, a day before their court ruling on July 23. Nearly a year after they were first arrested, the newlyweds were tried on charges of rioting, an offence carrying a penalty of up to 10 years in jail. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Anti-extradition bill demonstrators take cover during a protest against police violence, near Western Police Station in Hong Kong on July 28, 2019. Much older than the teenagers who came to symbolize the demonstrations, Elaine and Henry insist they were merely providing first aid to those who were tear-gassed on the day of their arrest. The couple, who own a gym in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan neighbourhood, have pleaded not guilty. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Anti-extradition bill demonstrators take cover during a protest against police violence, near Western Police Station in Hong Kong on July 28, 2019. Much older than the teenagers who came to symbolize the demonstrations, Elaine and Henry insist they were merely providing first aid to those who were tear-gassed on the day of their arrest. The couple, who own a gym in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan neighbourhood, have pleaded not guilty. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Elaine and Henry are seen together in front of high-rise buildings, a day before their court ruling on July 23. The prosecution said in court that even though there was no evidence showing that the couple was present at the point where the rioting took place, they shared the goals of those participating in the rioting. They also faced an additional charge of possessing a radio apparatus without a valid license, Reuters reported. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine and Henry are seen together in front of high-rise buildings, a day before their court ruling on July 23. The prosecution said in court that even though there was no evidence showing that the couple was present at the point where the rioting took place, they shared the goals of those participating in the rioting. They also faced an additional charge of possessing a radio apparatus without a valid license, Reuters reported. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Supporters gathered outside the Eastern Court to support Elaine and Henry on July 31, 2019. The placard reads, “There are no rioters, only tyranny.” During the demonstrations, protesters gave Henry the nickname Fu Tong, which means “to go through water.” Elaine was nicknamed Dou Fo, which means “to go through fire.” Literally, the names mean they’ll go through fire and water together. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Supporters gathered outside the Eastern Court to support Elaine and Henry on July 31, 2019. The placard reads, “There are no rioters, only tyranny.” During the demonstrations, protesters gave Henry the nickname Fu Tong, which means “to go through water.” Elaine was nicknamed Dou Fo, which means “to go through fire.” Literally, the names mean they’ll go through fire and water together. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Elaine and Henry play with their dogs Ah Mui, Fa Fa and Cho Cho in Hong Kong on July 20. Henry told Reuters, he and Elaine “never imagined” they would be arrested. “We never thought we would need to find a lawyer, or who would take care of our dogs.” They were among the first to be charged with rioting during the protests last year, arrested with a 17-year-old named Natalie Lee. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine and Henry play with their dogs Ah Mui, Fa Fa and Cho Cho in Hong Kong on July 20. Henry told Reuters, he and Elaine “never imagined” they would be arrested. “We never thought we would need to find a lawyer, or who would take care of our dogs.” They were among the first to be charged with rioting during the protests last year, arrested with a 17-year-old named Natalie Lee. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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A framed drawing of Elaine in a wedding gown and Henry in a wedding suit with a yellow helmet, the colour denoting support for the protest movement, which they received as a wedding gift, hangs on a wall at their gym, on July 20. The inscription reads, “Thank you for fighting for justice for the young generation, you are never alone, you have us who will stand with you. Happy Marriage! Proud of Mr. and Mrs. Tong!” (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

A framed drawing of Elaine in a wedding gown and Henry in a wedding suit with a yellow helmet, the colour denoting support for the protest movement, which they received as a wedding gift, hangs on a wall at their gym, on July 20. The inscription reads, “Thank you for fighting for justice for the young generation, you are never alone, you have us who will stand with you. Happy Marriage! Proud of Mr. and Mrs. Tong!” (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

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Elaine and Henry raise their hands in the symbol of “Five demands, not one less” after being acquitted on rioting charges in Hong Kong on July 24. As they stood in the courthouse, the judge announced they had been acquitted of the rioting charge. The couple was found guilty of the lesser offence of possessing a wireless radio without a permit and fined $1,300 each. They were free to go. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

Updated on Jul 26, 2020 06:22 pm IST

Elaine and Henry raise their hands in the symbol of “Five demands, not one less” after being acquitted on rioting charges in Hong Kong on July 24. As they stood in the courthouse, the judge announced they had been acquitted of the rioting charge. The couple was found guilty of the lesser offence of possessing a wireless radio without a permit and fined $1,300 each. They were free to go. (Tyrone Siu / REUTERS)

News / Photos / News / Photos: Arrested at pro-democracy protest, Hong Kong couple find justice

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