Court Hearing Challenge To Activists' Bail

The High Court is hearing a challenge by prosecutors to a lower court’s decision to grant bail to 11 pro-democracy activists charged under the national security law.

Dozens of people lined up for the bail hearing, some as early as 1 am. There’s a heavy police presence around the court building.

Madam justice Esther Toh will hold two separate hearings for former Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong, and Yuen Long district councillor Ng Kin-wai. The remaining nine defendants will be dealt with together, on Saturday and Monday.

Madam justice Toh refused to lift reporting restrictions. She said open justice was important, which is why the hearing was open to the media, but that the integrity of the proceedings had to be protected.

A total of 47 people are accused of conspiring to commit subversion, by holding a primary vote for Legco elections. Prosecutors say they aimed to win a majority in Legco to paralyse the government.

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