2015-08-24 HKT 18:12
Anthony Kwan's photo taken from his Facebook page
Sources say a Hong Kong photographer arrested in Bangkok for carrying a ballistic vest and a helmet in the city has been released on bail of 100,000 baht after making a court appearance. Anthony Kwan is due in court again in two weeks, and has been ordered not to leave the country in the meantime.
It is understood that Kwan - a photojournalist of Hong Kong-based online media Initium Media - was brought to a civil court, rather than a military court as previously speculated.
He flew in to cover the aftermath of last week's deadly Erawan shrine bombing and was arrested at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on Sunday for carrying an “illegal weapon” without a license when he was about to board a plane back to Hong Kong.
Initium Media released a statement, saying it had sent colleagues to Bangkok and engaged lawyers to assist Kwan. It said it would hold fast all the rights that a journalist deserves to do his job safely.
The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand also issued a statement expressing "dismay" at Kwan's arrest and subsequent detention. According to the organization, Kwan is facing military charges that could result in up to five years in prison. It has urged the Thai authorities not to press charges on the journalist. It has also called on the Thai government to decriminalise the possession of protective gears.
The Immigration Department in Hong Kong said it has given "appropriate advice" to Kwan. It said it has also contacted the Foreign Ministry’s office in Hong Kong as well as the Chinese Embassy in Thailand for more information. The department said it would maintain close communication with the parties and provide assistance accordingly.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1207116-20150824.htm
