Vice-chair of June 4 vigil organiser wins bail at Hong Kong High Court

The High Court has granted bail to the vice-chairwoman of the organiser of Hong Kong’s annual June 4 Tiananmen Square vigil before she goes on trial for alleged incitement later this year.

Barrister Chow Hang-tung, one of the leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, won bail at the Court of First Instance on Thursday, after failing three times since she was charged last month.

Madam Justice Judianna Barnes set the amount at HK$50,000 (US$6,430), and required another HK$50,000 in surety.

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Chow was required to remain in the city, surrender her travel documents, including her Hong Kong passport and home return permit, and make an affirmation or affidavit declaring she had no British passport.

Hong Kong organiser of Tiananmen Square vigil denied bail

She was also required to reside at her Ma On Shan address and report to the district police station once a week.

“I’m sure, as a barrister, you understand all the contents of the bail,” the judge said. “So please make sure you comply with the conditions.”

Chow was seen taking notes in the dock as her defence counsel Cheung Yiu-leung made submissions on her behalf.

Applause erupted in the public gallery when Barnes announced she would grant bail.

“Please behave yourself,” she told the attendees. “Otherwise I’ll have to clear the court.”

The 36-year-old Chow has been in custody since June 30 and was formally charged on July 2 with one count of inciting others to knowingly take part in an unauthorised assembly, an offence punishable by up to five years in prison.

The offence was said to have taken place between May 29 and June 4.

Chow has pleaded not guilty and her trial has been scheduled to run two days beginning on October 5.

She first applied for bail on July 2.

When that was refused, she twice applied for review, on July 9 and July 23, but was again unsuccessful.

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