Hong Kong court denies bail in first use of new security powers
A HONG Kong court yesterday denied bail for the first person to be charged under the territory’s new sweeping national security law.
Chief magistrate So Wai-tak decided to hold Tong Ying-kit, 23, in custody, citing the legislation that threatens life in prison for ill-defined crimes including secession, separatism, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
China’s ambassador to Britain further escalated diplomatic hostilities following Boris Johnson’s decision to offer up to three million Hong Kong residents the chance to settle permanently in the UK after China imposed the new law. Liu Xiaoming told reporters at a media conference: “The UK Government keeps making irresponsible remarks on Hong Kong affairs.”
Britain had made unwarranted accusations about China’s imposition of the new law, he said, and he accused Britain of “gross interference”.
Hours later, No10 said it would review Britain’s extradition treaty with Hong Kong. “We are assessing the national security law and its legal ramifications in terms of extradition with Hong Kong,” a spokesman added.
Mr Tong was charged with acts of secession and participating in terrorist activities. The alleged crimes took place less than 24 hours after the implementation of the national security law. At the time, city leaders clarified that the protest slogan Mr Tong carried – “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our times” – would be in violation as it demonstrated subversion and separatism.
A prosecutor said Mr Tong, who appeared in court in a wheelchair upon discharge from hospital where he was being treated for leg fractures after his arrest, was responsible for injuring at least three police officers. Police previously said Mr Tong hit and injured officers last Wednesday during an illegal protest. A video circulating online showed a motorcyclist ramming into police on the street.
Prosecutors have yet to clarify where Mr Tong will be tried, whether there will be a jury, and the maximum sentence he faces. The case is expected to resume in October.
At least 10 people have already been arrested for potential violations of the new national security law. Hundreds more were arrested by police during protests in defiance of the law.
Mr Liu, meanwhile, refused to detail China’s likely response to Britain’s offer of citizenship to British National Overseas passport-holders in Hong Kong.
The Hong Kong government yesterday ordered schools to remove any books that might breach the new security law.
‘We are assessing the national security law and its legal ramifications in terms of extradition with Hong Kong’