By Roland Lim, Hong Kong Bureau Chief,Channel NewsAsia
POSTED: 22 Jul 2015 17:32
Accused woman surnamed Chan, 29, leaving Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court, out on US$2,580 bail.
HONG KONG: Four suspects charged over an alleged bomb plot in Hong Kong were denied bail Wednesday (Jul 22) after appearing in Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court.
Five men and one woman, aged 21 to 34, were charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion after police found explosive chemicals during a raid last month.
Police made just days before legislators voted on a controversial Beijing-backed political reform package, which had sparked mass street rallies.
Four of the five men applied for bail but were denied by the magistrate, during the mention hearing. A fifth man also remains in custody.
The woman, surnamed Chan, remains out on bail, as preliminary investigations showed she played no direct part in making explosives.
The suspects did not give any further evidence, and did not enter a plea.
The public prosecutor told the court that chemicals found at the crime scene are still being tested, but were believed to be ingredients normally used to make smoke grenades and TATP, the volatile explosive used in the 2005 London bombing.
Police are also examining websites the suspects browsed and messages sent, on their phones and computers.
Police said one of the accused also admitted to being in a radical group called the National Independent Party, a new localist pro-democracy movement seeking a more independent Hong Kong.
Local activists have accused the authorities of a smear campaign, with many saying they have not heard of the organisation.
The case has been adjourned until Sep 4.
- CNA/jb
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/mobile/asiapacific/bomb-plot-suspects-denied/2000644.html
