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Hong Kong: democracy activists Joshua Wong and Nathan Law granted bail Freed Hong Kong activist vows to fight on over China 'suppression'
(about 5 hours later)
Hong Kong’s highest court has granted bail to two prominent young democracy activists, Joshua Wong and Nathan Law, who were jailed for unlawful assembly linked to the city’s large-scale pro-democracy protests in 2014. The Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong has vowed to continue his struggle against Communist party “suppression” after being released from prison while he appeals against his sentence for unlawful assembly.
Hong Kong’s appeals court in August jailed Wong, Law and Alex Chow, leaders of the Chinese-ruled city’s democracy movement, dealing a blow to the youth-led push for universal suffrage and prompting accusations of political interference. Wong and Nathan Law, a fellow activist, were jailed in August for their roles in a demonstration that helped spark the city’s large-scale “umbrella movement” pro-democracy protests in 2014.
Hong Kong’s chief justice Geoffrey Ma, who heads the court of final appeal, granted Wong and Law bail while they appeal their six month and eight month jail terms respectively, saying there was no flight risk. On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s chief justice, Geoffrey Ma, who heads the court of final appeal, granted the pair bail while they appeal their six-month and eight-month jail terms respectively, saying there was no flight risk.
Local broadcaster RTHK reported that Ma required each man to post 50,000 Hong Kong dollars ($6,400) as bail, surrender their travel documents and report to police once a week. Their appeals will be heard on 7 November. Speaking outside the court, Wong, 21, said: “Although I obtained temporary freedom, there is a chance that I will go to jail again this year … Regardless, we will face suppression under the authoritarian regime calmly.”
On emerging from the courthouse, a sombre Law said there had been “unpleasant times” in prison and that he was looking forward to a meal with his family. He added, according to the Hong Kong Free Press website: “This may not be the first time we go to jail, there may be more young people going to jail in the future – but we will press on with our beliefs and fight together on the path to democracy.”
Law said the result of the appeal case would depend on “the implementation of ‘one country, two systems’”, the semi-autonomous deal that guarantees Hong Kong rights unseen on the mainland. The local broadcaster RTHK reported that Ma required Wong and Law to post 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (£4,860) as bail, surrender their travel documents and report to police once a week. Their appeals will be heard on 7 November.
China stands accused of trampling the arrangement, made when Britain handed back Hong Kong in 1997. On emerging from the courthouse, Law said there had been “unpleasant times” in prison and that he was looking forward to a meal with his family.
He said the result of the appeal would depend on “the implementation of ‘one country, two systems’”, the semi-autonomous deal that guarantees Hong Kong rights unseen on the mainland. China has been accused of trampling the arrangement, made when Britain handed back Hong Kong in 1997.
“I hope the result of the case showcases the protection of human rights in our law system,” Law told reporters.“I hope the result of the case showcases the protection of human rights in our law system,” Law told reporters.
Supporters outside punched the air at news of the pair’s release. Supporters outside punched the air at news of the pair’s release. Wong’s father, Roger, who has heavily criticised his son’s imprisonment, was at the court.
Wong’s father Roger, who has heavily criticised his son’s imprisonment, was at the court. Eddie Chu, a lawmaker, said their release on bail was “encouraging news for supporters of democracy”. “We need them out here with us to fight these battles,” he said outside the court.
Lawmaker Eddie Chu said their release on bail was “encouraging news for supporters of democracy”. The jailing in August of Wong, Law and Alex Chow, leaders of the Chinese-ruled city’s democracy movement, dealt a blow to the youth-led push for universal suffrage and prompted accusations of political interference. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated locally, and there was an international outcry.
“We need them out here with us to fight these battles,” he said outside the court. Wong gained fame for his prominent role in the Hong Kong protests while still a teenager. Law was elected last year to the legislature, becoming the city’s youngest ever lawmaker, but was disqualified from office after a government legal challenge over irregularities in his oath.
The imprisonment of Wong, Chow and Law for their roles in the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests triggered tens of thousands to demonstrate locally, as well as an international outcry.
Wong gained fame for his prominent role in the Hong Kong protests while still a teenager. Law was elected last year to the legislature, becoming the city’s youngest-ever lawmaker, and then was disqualified from office after a government legal challenge over irregularities in his oath.
Chow had not applied for bail.Chow had not applied for bail.
Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this reportReuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report