Hong Kong imprisons pro-democracy student activist Joshua Wong and two others after overturning sentences

Outspoken protester jailed along with colleagues Nathan Law and Alex Chow for organising huge 'illegal' rally in September 2014

Hong Kong activists Joshua Wong, right, and Nathan Law, left, speak outside the high court before a ruling on a prosecution request for stiffer sentences following a lower court decision that let them avoid prison in Hong Kong o 17 August 2017 (Vincent Yu/AP)

A court has overturned the earlier sentences of young Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong and two other student leaders and sentenced them to prison in connection with huge pro-democracy protests in 2014.

Last year Wong and student leader and disqualified politician Nathan Law were sentenced to community service for leading or encouraging an illegal rally in September 2014.

A third activist, Alex Chow, was given a suspended three-week prison sentence.

A three-judge panel on Thursday decided to stiffen those sentences and send all three to prison.

Law was sentenced to eight months, Chow to seven and Wong to six.

In 2014, the activists brought major thoroughfares to a standstill for 11 weeks to protest against Beijing's plan to restrict elections in the Chinese-ruled former British colony.

AP