Hong Kong court denies bail to suspect connected to Tai Po police shooting case

A Hong Kong court has denied bail of one of nine suspects accused of helping 12 pro-democracy activists flee the city after police charged her in connection with a shooting incident last year.

Hong Kong Indigenous member Chung Suet-ying, 29, appeared at Fanling Magistrates’ Court on Monday to face the charge of possession of arms or ammunition without a licence. The court denied her bail application due to the seriousness of the case. The next hearing will be held on December 21.

Last year, a 19-year-old fired a live round at police officers during a search in Tai Po. The force found guns and ammunition in the raid of the residence.

Chung is a former assistant of ousted Youngspiration lawmakers Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching. She was one of three assistants convicted alongside the pair of participating in an unauthorised assembly. The group had attempted to enter the Legislative Council chamber in 2016 despite President Andrew Leung barring them from attending all meetings. Chung gave up her appeal against the conviction in 2018 and was put behind bars for four weeks.

On Saturday, police arrested nine people on suspicion of assisting 12 Hong Kong fugitives who boarded a speedboat en route to Taiwan. The activists were intercepted by China Coast Guards on August 23 for allegedly illegally crossing the border.

Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team