Rioting Defendants Get Bail, One Skips Court

An Eastern Court magistrate on Wednesday granted bail to 43 defendants who were charged with rioting over Sunday’s clashes with police in Western district.

An arrest warrant was also issued for a 22-year-old clerk, Yan Hoi-ying, who didn't turn up at the court.

Yan is among 44 people charged with rioting over Sunday’s protests. One of the defendants is also facing another count of assaulting a police officer.

Seven of the defendants are aged under 20, with the youngest among them a 16-year-old schoolgirl. Most of the rest are in their twenties.

A 24-year-old Putonghua speaking student – who’s the 45th defendant in the case – has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, namely an extendable baton.

Many of the defendants told the court they are students. Others gave their occupation as nurse, teacher, or clerk.

All of those who appeared in court were granted bail of HK$1,000, and most were given a curfew between midnight and 6am.

All but one, who is an airline pilot, were banned from leaving Hong Kong.

The prosecution had at first wanted a travel ban on the 30-year-old pilot also. But his lawyers said that would mean his client, Liu Chung-yin, would lose his job.

The prosecution and the magistrate then allowed the travels, saying as long as the pilot provides his duty roster, he will be allowed to leave Hong Kong, but only for his work.

No pleas were taken and the cases were adjourned to September 25.