Activist Chow Hang-tung denied bail over June 4 case

West Kowloon Court on Friday denied bail to activist Chow Hang-tung, who is charged with inciting others to join an unauthorised rally on June 4 to commemorate the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989.

Chow, the vice-chairwoman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movements of China, was arrested on June 4 for publicising the vigil banned by the police.

During a hearing on Friday, the court refused to grant bail to the 36-year-old activist and barrister, ordering her to be remanded in custody until her next court appearance on July 30.

The candlelight vigil had been held annually in Victoria Park for 31 years since 1989, but police banned the vigil last year and this year, citing the coronavirus pandemic.

A large number of police closed off the park on June 4 this year, yet many gathered on the outskirts of the park to mourn the victims in the massacre.

Chow was again arrested on July 1 – for allegedly encouraging people to join a banned rally on Thursday’s handover anniversary.

No charges had been laid on Chow over the July 1 case.