Two opposition politicians, who were among the 47 democracy advocates charged with subversion, have had their bail revoked on Saturday, after a High Court judge upheld the government’s appeal against the lower court’s decision.

Madam Justice Esther Toh granted bail to district councilors Cheng Tat-hung and Michael Pang, two other defendants of the same case. However, she kept former Civic Party lawmakers Kwok Ka-ki and Jeremy Tam in custody, as she found insufficient grounds to believe they will not continue to commit acts that endanger national security.

Only seven out of 47 defendants were released on bail conditions set by Chief Magistrate Victor So, including a cash bail, a strict curfew and reporting to the police station four times a week. They are also barred from participating in or organizing any election, and contacting foreign officials. Toh added two bail conditions to Pang, which are surety bonds of HK$100,000 (US$12,882).

After the hearing, Kwok’s wife displayed a paper outside the court, which said “we will never forsake you. We will forge ahead. Hold on to hope.”

Cheng, who was released at around 4 p.m., left the High Court accompanied by Andy Yu, vice chairperson of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council. “Hope everyone hangs in there. Thank you for all the support,” he said, before departing in a car.

Toh will hear the bail review of district councilor Ricky Or on Saturday afternoon and four more defendants on Monday. She had refused a joint request from journalists to lift reporting restrictions on the bail proceedings.

21 pan-democrats were ordered to remain in custody on Friday, after So upheld some of their bail denial due to a lack of material change in circumstances and others withdrew their bids. The trial is scheduled at the end of May.

The draconian national security law, imposed by Beijing last year, placed the onus on defendants to prove that they will not commit acts which threaten national security, if released on bail.

The 47 democracy advocates participated in or organized an unofficial primary election among the opposition camp last summer, in which over 600,000 Hongkongers cast their votes. They were accused of attempting to topple the government by winning a majority in the legislature.

The Legislative Council elections, now postponed till September on public health grounds, may be further delayed after Beijing approved a drastic overhaul of Hong Kong’s electoral system on Thursday.

Click here for Chinese version

---------------------------------

Apple Daily’s all-new English Edition is now available on the mobile app: bit.ly/2yMMfQE

To download the latest version,

iOS: bit.ly/AD_iOS

Android: bit.ly/AD_android

Or search Appledaily in App Store or Google Play