By Jessie Pang
HONG KONG (Reuters) – A Hong Kong court hears on Friday an appeal by about two dozen activists against a decision last week to deny them bail in a widely monitored case of 47 opposition figures charged with conspiracy to subvert the government.
The charges represent the most sweeping use yet of Hong Kong’s new security law, which punishes what it broadly defines as secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.
The case offers an insight into how the mainland-style justice drafted by Beijing into the security law clashes with the global financial hub’s common-law traditions, and is being closely watched by foreign diplomats and rights groups.
In contrast with past practice, the new security law puts the onus on defendants to prove they will not pose a security threat if released on bail.
Five of the 47 have already been granted bail, with nine awaiting the High Court to rule over a prosecutors’ appeal against an earlier decision to release them. One other was remanded in custody following a successful appeal by prosecutors.
On Friday, 21 other defendants previously denied bail were expected in court for their own appeal.
Eight others have decided not to appeal and will be in custody until the next hearing in the case on May 31. It was unclear where three others stood.
The 47 activists are accused of organising and participating in an unofficial, non-binding primary poll in July 2020 that authorities said was part of a “vicious plot” to “overthrow” the government.
The vote was aimed at selecting the strongest opposition candidates for a legislative council election that the government later postponed, citing the coronavirus.
The detentions have been fiercely criticised by governments in the West, including Britain and the United States.
Hong Kong’s Department of Justice has said no one should interfere with independent prosecutorial decisions. Supporters of the new law say it has restored stability after months of pro-democracy protests in 2019.
Hong Kong laws restrict media coverage of the content of bail hearings.
(Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Stephen Coates)
