Democrats battle to win their bail pleas

Democrat Helena Wong Pik-wan was granted bail, but not district councilor Ng Kin-wai as the High Court handled bail appeals by the Department of Justice yesterday.

Wong, 61, and Ng, 25, were among 47 defendants who were charged with subversion, which carries up to a life sentence, for organizing and taking part in the pro-democracy camp's primary elections last July.

Among them, the bail granted to 11 out of 15 defendants last Thursday by chief magistrate Victor So Wai-tak at West Kowloon Magistrates' Court was challenged by the Department of Justice.

National security designated judge Esther Toh Lye-ping yesterday refused to grant leave for Wong's bail appeal, as she said the bail conditions for the former lawmaker from the Democratic Party were reasonable.

Wong was released on bail yesterday with the original bail conditions set out by So, including HK$100,000 in cash and another HK$100,000 in sureties.

The bail conditions will also restrict her from making any comments that might be considered a breach of the security law or contact any foreign officials or members of foreign legislatures.

Wong is also barred from taking part in any elections in Hong Kong during her bail and has to report to the police four times a week, with her travel documents confiscated.

As she left the High Court in the afternoon, Wong hugged her husband while saying that she is happy to regain freedom and she will be returning home at once to reunite with her family.

"I was really calm while I was in custody, as I know I did nothing wrong, but the bail hearing was really tiring in the first few days," Wong said.

"But it was really encouraging to see people lining up outside the court building and seeing the 'candle lights' as we leave the court at night," she added.

Wong also said she will miss her friends from the pro-democracy camp who are still in custody and hopes they can be granted bail as soon as possible.

Toh overturned the lower court's decision to grant Ng bail as she does not believe he will cease taking part in behavior endangering national security. Reasons for her decision will be published later.

As Ng was taken away, he yelled: "Hang in there, everyone. I will see you all after 10 years."

The department earlier decided not to go after the bail applications of district councilors Clarisse Yeung Suet-ying, 34, and Lawrence Lau Wai-chung, 53, as well as activist Hendrick Lui Chi-hang, 38, and businessman Mike Lam King-nam, 32. They were released on bail last week.

The bail appeal hearing of former lawmakers Jeremy Tam Man-ho and Kwok Ka-ki, district councilors Kalvin Ho Kai-ming, Cheng Tat-hung, Michael Pang Cheuk-kei, Sze Tak-loy, Sam Cheung Ho-sum, Ricky Or Yiu-lam and Lee Yue-shun will be heard on Saturday. They have been remanded in prison custody since their arrests on February 28.

So will hear today the bail appeals of the 22 defendants who were not granted bail last Thursday.

Others will remain in Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre and Tai Lam Correctional Institution, pending their next court appearance on May 31.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com