HONG KONG (AP) — Three young Hong Kong activists, including Joshua Wong, are making a last-ditch attempt to overturn prison sentences for their roles in sparking 2014's massive pro-democracy protests in the semiautonomous Chinese city.

Lawyers for the three were presenting arguments Tuesday in an appeal hearing at Hong Kong's top court.

Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow were initially let off with suspended or community service sentences after they were convicted of taking part in or inciting an unlawful assembly.

But the case sparked controversy when the justice secretary requested a sentencing review that resulted in stiffer sentences, raising concerns about rule of law and the independence of Hong Kong's judiciary.

The case underscores wider tensions over Hong Kong's increasingly tense relationship with China's communist leaders in Beijing.