Bail revoked as ex-lawmaker Ho sent back to jail

Former Democratic Party chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan was sent back to jail after seven months out on bail following his arrest on Tuesday for allegedly interfering with a primary election trial witness.

West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts chief magistrate Victor So Wai-tak yesterday revoked Ho's bail, a day after national security police arrested the 71-year-old former lawmaker at his Tin Hau home.

So rejected the media application to lift the restrictions on reporting bail proceedings, saying the reports may increase the pressure on the witness.

But he agreed that the case is of public interest and added that since the primary election case is being heard by judges instead of a jury, the trial would not be affected if the restrictions are lifted.

Forty-seven activists and politicians were charged with conspiracy to subvert state powers under the national security law over their organization and participation in a primary election in 2020, with 31 of them pleading guilty.

Four defendants who have pleaded guilty - Au Nok-hin, Andrew Chiu Ka-yin, Ben Chung Kam-lun and Mike Lam King-nam - have turned prosecution witnesses. Only Lam was granted bail.

Ho, who is also the former vice chairman of the defunct Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was charged with inciting subversion over his role in the alliance in September 2021.

He was released on bail of HK$700,000 in cash and HK$400,000 in surety for health reasons last August.

Ho was banned from making speeches or engaging in behavior that may violate the national security law.

He was prohibited from leaving Hong Kong and was not permitted to speak to foreign officials, while also following curfew orders and reporting to the police three times a week.

Meanwhile, four executives of the disbanded Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions - chairman Joe Wong Nai-yuen, vice-chairman Leo Tang Kin-wah and committee members Denny To Chun-ho and Shek Pui-yin - were held for questioning by national security police, but no arrest was made.

Sources said the union's former treasurer Chung Chun-fai was also questioned by the police on Tuesday.