52 out of 55 Hong Kong Pan-Democracy Camp Figures Released on Bail

Bail Set at 30,000-50,000 HKD, Released After Passport Confiscation
Excluding Joshua Wong, Former Legislator Tam Tak-chi, and Former Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Among the 55 pro-democracy figures arrested on June 6-7 for violating the Hong Kong National Security Law (Hong Kong Security Law), 52 have been released on bail.

On the 8th, the Hong Kong police announced that out of the 55 people arrested under the Hong Kong Security Law, 52 were released on bail except for 3. Those released paid bail ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 4.23 million to 7.05 million Korean won) and had their passports confiscated.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The three who were denied release are former Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai, pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong who was arrested in prison while already serving time on other charges, and former legislator Tam Tak-chi of the Hong Kong opposition party 'People Power.' Chairman Wu refused to submit his passport to the police and was detained by court order on the same day.

The arrested individuals are accused of organizing and participating in an unofficial primary election held on July 11-12 in five constituencies to select unified opposition candidates ahead of the Legislative Council (Hong Kong Parliament) election scheduled for September 6 last year, allegedly attempting to subvert the state under the Hong Kong Security Law.

The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that among the 53 people arrested on the 6th, six, including former Hong Kong University professor Benny Tai, are accused of organizing the primary election, while the remaining 47 are accused of participating in it.

It also added that 16 of the 53 are former Legislative Council members, and a significant number of the rest were candidates who ran in the primary election.

Former professor Tai said, "Hong Kong has entered a cold winter. The wind is strong and cold," adding, "However, I believe many Hong Kong people will continue to move forward against the wind."

The Hong Kong Security Law allows for the death penalty or life imprisonment for four crimes: secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign forces.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.