Under a national security law imposed last year, bail is being frequently denied to arrested democracy activists.
For the small number that is released, strict limitations are often imposed by judges such as curbs to their movement and whether they can give interviews or post on social media.
"If I am made to choose between physical liberty and freedom of expression, I will choose the latter," Chow Hang-tung, a trained lawyer and one of the defendants, told the court.But magistrate Peter Law ordered them to be bailed anyway saying it was their responsibility to adhere to limitations set by the court.
Under the security law, bail has become hard to secure because defendants must prove they no longer pose a danger to the country if temporarily released. More than 150 people have been arrested under the security law including former lawmakers, politicians, journalists, and students.
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