First suspects charged under Hong Kong’s anti-mask law granted bail, after weekend of protests marred by violence
- City University student and woman, 38, granted bail after appearing in court charged with covering their faces at demonstration soon after ban introduced
- The accused made subject to curfew and travel ban, as city emerges from weekend of fresh violence triggered by new restriction
A student and an unemployed woman were granted bail at a court on Monday after they became the first to be charged under the new mask ban targeting anti-government protesters.
City University student Ng Lung-ping, 18, and Choi Yuk-wan, 38, were accused of taking part in an unlawful assembly outside Kai Tin Shopping Centre in Lam Tin, which was held overnight between Friday and Saturday.
They allegedly used a facial covering that was likely to prevent identification without lawful authority or reasonable excuse in the early hours of Saturday, the day the anti-mask legislation came into force.
At Eastern Court, acting principal magistrate Cheung Kit-yee adjourned the case to November 18 at Kwun Tong Court, pending further police inquiry.
Cheung granted Ng and Choi cash bail of HK$300 (US$38) and HK$1,000 respectively, but imposed a travel ban and curfew on the pair. She also ordered them to report to police once a week.