Hong Kong court rejects bail application of minor charged under national security law

Hong Kong’s High Court has rejected a bail application from a minor who was charged under the Beijing-imposed national security law over an alleged terrorist conspiracy linked to self-proclaimed “revolutionary” political group Returning Valiant.

Law Kai-wing, who was 15 when he was charged, was denied bail by High Court Judge Alex Lee. He was represented by barrister Cheung Yiu-leung on Friday.

Under court reporting restrictions on bail proceedings, written and broadcast reports are limited to only include the result of a bail application, the name of the person applying for bail and their representation, and the offence concerned.

Law and six others have been charged under the national security law for conspiring to organise, plan, commit, participate in, or threaten to commit terrorist activities intended to “cause grave harm to the society with a view to coercing the Central People’s Government, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or an international organisation or intimidating the public in order to pursue political agenda.”

The group was also charged under an alternative charge of conspiring to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property.

returning valiant — Returning Valiant’s logo. Photo: Retuning Valiant, via Facebook.

The seven were first brought to court in July or September last year. A 24-year-old defendant was granted bail in October after the prosecution did not raise any objections.

The others have been remanded in custody for over a year. Law and four others are set to enter their pleas and undergo sentencing at the High Court next March.

The national security law, enacted in June 2020, also criminalised subversion, secession, and collusion with foreign forces.

Bail applications in national security cases have to go through a stricter assessment. Judges consider not only the defendant’s risk of absconding or obstructing justice, but also whether there are sufficient grounds for believing they “will not continue to commit acts endangering national security.”