Hong Kong court blocks release of first person charged under new security law

HONG KONG: In a landmark decision, a Hong Kong court denied on Friday (Aug 21) a bid for the release of the first person charged with inciting separatism and terrorism under a new national security law in the city.

Police said Tong Ying-kit, 23, carried a sign reading "Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times", and drove his motorbike into officers, knocking down several on a narrow street, before falling over and getting arrested.

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The government of the Asian financial hub has said the protest slogan connotes separatism or subversion under the new law, stoking concern over freedom of expression in the former British colony.

Two judges of Hong Kong's High Court rejected Tong's application for release from detention, and set Tuesday for a bail hearing.

READ: Hong Kong police could face torture case in UK court

"The applicant's application for a writ of habeas corpus is dismissed," judges Anderson Chow and Alex Lee said in the ruling, adding that Tong should have instead sought review of an order that denied him bail.

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Tong was denied bail last month, with the case adjourned to Oct 6, as prosecutors sought more time to collect evidence.

He was among more than 300 demonstrators against the new law who were arrested by police on Jul 1, less than 24 hours after it was unveiled and took effect.

Hong Kong's common law has traditionally allowed defendants to seek release unless prosecutors can show lawful grounds for their detention.

But the burden is now placed on the defendant, under the new law drafted by Beijing, which is not a common law jurisdiction and where the judiciary is controlled by the Communist Party.

Article 42 says, "No bail shall be granted to a criminal suspect or defendant unless the judgeRead More – Source