15 of 47 Hong Kong activist granted bail but remain detained pending appeal

Fifteen of 47 Hong Kong pro-democracy activists charged with subversion have been granted bail after a marathon hearing, but the entire group remains in custody pending an appeal.

They were charged under a new security law that critics say is being used by Beijing to crush dissent in the city, reports the BBC.

China passed the law last year, saying it was required to bring stability.

The activists - 39 men and eight women - were among a group of 55 people arrested in dawn raids last month.

All 47 activists will remain in custody while the department of justice appeals against the bail ruling for the 15.

The activists are facing up to life in prison for the charge of conspiring to commit subversion, in the most sweeping application yet of the new national security law.

They include veterans of the protest movement like academic Benny Tai and politician Leung Kwok-hung, as well as younger protesters like Gwyneth Ho, Sam Cheung and Lester Shum.A marathon bail hearing for the 47 defendants began on Monday, continuing late into the night for three consecutive nights.

Police officers were deployed on Monday to control the crowds as pro-democracy supporters queued for seats at the court.

Media coverage of the hearing has been heavily restricted, and an appeal to lift the restrictions was rejected on Thursday.