National security law: 15 out of 47 Hong Kong opposition figures granted bail, but ordered to remain in custody pending prosecutors’ appeal
- Bail proceedings lasted four days for the 47 defendants charged with subversion under the national security law
- The politicians and activists were arrested last month over an unofficial primary election that authorities said was a subversive plot to paralyse government
Fifteen of the 47 Hong Kong opposition politicians and activists facing subversion charges were granted bail in the city’s biggest crackdown to date under the national security law, but they were immediately ordered to remain in custody after prosecutors lodged an appeal against the decision.
The ruling on Thursday came after 28 hours of marathon hearings spanning four days.
Those who secured bail included former lawmakers Jeremy Tam Man-Ho, Helena Wong Pik-wan and district councillor Kalvin Ho Kai-ming. They were placed on cash bonds of up to HK$1 million (US$129,000) and ordered to observe stringent conditions including being banned from discussing or participating in any election.
But the group of 15 were ordered to return to jail after the presiding judge extended their time behind bars at the request of prosecutors, who said they would ask the High Court to review the decision.
Chief Magistrate Victor So Wai-tak said he was bound by the law to remand those granted bail, citing the Criminal Procedures Ordinance. The provision in that legislation also stipulates that the case must be brought before a judge “as soon as practicable” or in any event within 48 hours from the suspension of the bail decision.
06:05
47 Hong Kong opposition activists charged with subversion under national security law
Those not granted bail and also remanded in custody included former Democratic Party lawmakers Lam Cheuk-ting and Andrew Wan Siu-kin. They were joined by four co-defendants already in jail over different cases, including activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung.