Hong Kong student at university in Japan granted bail on social media sedition charge
- Court told Yuen Ching-ting posted 22 seditious statements on social media, 20 of them while she was in Japan
- Defence counsel argues that Hong Kong courts have no extraterritorial jurisdiction on statements made abroad
A Hong Kong student at a Japanese university has been granted bail in connection with a sedition charge over a string of pro-independence statements she allegedly posted on social media, most of them while abroad.
Yuen Ching-ting, 23, was released on Friday pending trial, but with strict conditions the magistrate said would ease any concerns that she might threaten national security.
Principal Magistrate Peter Law Tak-chuen, who is approved by city leader John Lee Ka-chiu to hear the case, said: “In light of the latest circumstances, I am satisfied that her risk of committing further acts endangering national security is low.”
He was speaking after Yuen appeared at West Kowloon Court to face a charge that she committed acts with seditious intent under colonial-era legislation.
Yuen was released on a HK$10,000 (US$1,280) cash bond and a guarantee for the same amount put up by her mother.