Hong Kong democracy activists' bail hearing enters third day
03 March, 2021
Bail proceedings for 47 Hong Kong democracy activists charged with conspiracy to commit subversion entered the 3rd day in Wednesday (Mar 3), pursuing marathon hearings which have gone in late into the night and led to some defendants falling ill.
The charges will be the most sweeping use yet of the national security law that Beijing imposed on the global financial hub in June 2020.
Defence lawyers are applying for bail and challenging a good prosecution bid to keep the defendants in custody for months while police investigate further. The hearing resumed at noon.
In contrast with Hong Kong's common law traditions, the brand new security law puts the onus on defendants to prove they will not pose a security threat if released on bail.
If remanded to custody, the move will mean that almost all of Hong Kong's opposition figures are either in jail or in exile.
The activists are accused of organising and participating in an unofficial major poll last July that authorities said was portion of an idea to "overthrow" the government.
The election was aimed at selecting the strongest prospects for a legislative council election that the federal government after postponed, citing COVID-19.
'IT'S A TEST'
The marathon hearings, unusual long, have observed five of the defendants falling ill and needing medical assistance over the first two days. Hong Kong laws restrict media insurance policy coverage of this content of bail hearings.
Overseas diplomats and rights groups are closely monitoring the case amid mounting concerns above the independence of the former British colony's vaunted judicial system that's seen as the foundation which its financial prowess was made.
"We’ve not seen something like this before. It’s generally very fast ... It’s incredibly strange," said Consul General of Ireland David Costello, who was simply at the court, of the length of the hearings.
"It’s a test of what’s likely to happen in Hong Kong."
Supporters of the security law, which punishes what it broadly defines seeing that secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up alive in prison, say it's important to restore stability found in Hong Kong.
On Monday, about 1,000 supporters defied social gathering rules to curb coronavirus and rallied beyond your West Kowloon courthouse as the defendants seemed to deal with charges following their arrest over the weekend.
The crowds have since subsided.
"I feel powerless, our support would not help the case. I only desire the defendants to experience supported," explained 19-year-old Chan, who was simply among a few dozen supporters at the court, giving only his previous name as a result of sensitivity of the matter.
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