Complex sentence: Though Bokhary is reported to have already departed Hong Kong, the Justice Department stated that her absence would not affect the appeal, which must be filed within 21 days of sentencing but the whole process may take up to four months.
Split into simpler sentences: Though Bokhary is reported to have already departed Hong Kong, the Justice Department stated that her absence would not affect the appeal process. Any appeal must be filed within 21 days of sentencing, but the whole process may take as long as four months.