Jailed Hong Kong opposition activist ditches bail plan after judge refuses to lift reporting restrictions
- Gwyneth Ho withdraws application after failing to successfully challenge rules on what media can report
- Ho is in remand on a subversion charge in connection with an unofficial primary last year
Hong Kong opposition activist Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam has withdrawn her bail application while remanded on a subversion charge over an unofficial primary last year, after the court refused to lift reporting restrictions.
Ho had earlier announced on Facebook her intentions to challenge the statutory restrictions imposed on reports of bail applications, which bar the publication of negotiations heard in open court.
The law allows just six types of information to be published in media reports on bail proceedings, including the defendant’s name, the alleged offence and the application’s result.
On Wednesday, Madam Justice Esther Toh Lye-ping of the High Court refused to lift the restrictions after hearing brief arguments.
Ho subsequently withdrew her bail application and returned to custody.
