The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal sentenced Li Zhiying to remain in custody, and Hong Kong citizens welcomed the ruling with a banner
[Global Times Hong Kong Special Correspondent Yang Weimin] Li Zhiying, the Hong Kong gangster and the founder of One Media, was charged with fraud and suspected of “colluding with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security” under the Hong Kong National Security Law. The Court of Final Appeal appealed on bail from the Department of Justice on the 9th For the sentencing, Li Zhiying must continue to be remanded.
The lawsuit-ridden Li Zhiying was originally refused bail by the Magistrates' Court, but on December 23 last year, High Court Judge Li Yunteng approved him to go out with cash of HK$10 million and various bail conditions. The Department of Justice immediately appealed to the Court of Final Appeal.
The final court granted permission to appeal, and immediately revoked Li's bail, and Li had to be remanded in prison for judgment.
At about 9 am on the 9th, Li Zhiying’s prisoner car arrived at the final hospital. He was taken to the prison by seven officers from the Correctional Services Department. His expression was a little serious and nervous. Li Zhiying’s daughter and eldest son Li Jianen and other family members arrived in court. In the audience, the Democratic Party's Li Yongda, "Long Mao" Liang Guoxiong and others took turns in the court.
In the end, the five judges unanimously ruled that the Attorney General’s appeal was successful and Li Zhiying’s bail decision was revoked.
The Court of Final Appeal stated that Article 42(2) of the Hong Kong National Security Law states that “bail shall not be granted unless the judge has sufficient reason to believe that the defendant will not continue to commit acts endangering national security”, clearly providing the threshold requirements for approving bail applications involving crimes endangering national security .
They ruled that Li Yunteng had misunderstood the nature and effectiveness of the threshold requirements of Article 42(2) of the Hong Kong National Security Law, while Li Zhiying said that he would re-apply for bail review to the High Court.
Dongfang Daily noted on the 9th that after hearing the ruling, Li Zhiying's daughter and family members were crying in the court.
Staff of the Canadian consulate and EU diplomats attended the meeting.
The staff of the EU offices in Hong Kong and Macau responded via text messages that the EU and its member states will observe the case of Hong Kong pan-democrats, and mentioned that the Hong Kong courts allow observers to be present, showing that the judicial system is open and transparent.
Sing Tao Daily reported on the 9th that Li Zhiying, 73, was charged with fraud and "colluding with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security" under the National Security Act. Both cases will be heard again on April 16 this year.
Hong Kong society generally welcomes Li Zhiying's continued detention. The “Oriental Pearl Volunteer Association” stated outside the final hospital on the 9th that Li Zhiying and other Hong Kong disruptors continue to provoke the bottom line of the National Security Law, severely disrupt Hong Kong’s public order, are suspected of colluding with foreign forces, and pose a serious threat to the country, calling on judges to respond. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and not allowed to be released on bail, as an example. Some citizens held up banners and denounced Lebanon for still asking foreign institutions and personnel to impose sanctions and other hostile actions on Hong Kong after the implementation of the National Security Law, and asked the court to pursue his illegal acts in accordance with the law. During this period, they even called "treason in Hong Kong intolerable." The DAB member Zhou Hao Ting welcomed the ruling and believed that it would help clarify the legal point of view. He also pointed out that the High Court approved the bail earlier because it misunderstood the provisions of the National Security Law.