Korean WTO Protesters Get Bail

Following a police request, a Hong Kong court pushed back the date for the trial of 11 Korean WTO protesters to December 30, and granted bail to the rioters.

The Kwun Tong Courthouse held its first hearing on the protesters on the afternoon of December 23. The judge granted bail on the reference of Cardinal Zhen of the Catholic Church.

The defendants were released on bail on the condition that they will be confined to a church in Kowloontong, and they agree to be checked by the police once a day.

The Hong Kong police had wanted to conduct an identification parade in order to charge the protesters with additional charges, including assaulting police officers and the possession of dangerous materials. But due to defendants’ lawyers’ opposition, they could not do so, and requested a continuance of the trial due to their incomplete investigations.

The defendants pled guilty to charges of illegal assembly, but stated that they will not admit to assaulting police officers or any other charges. They said they would accept fines or suspended jail sentences, but that they would not agree to any jail time.