Hong Kong police arrest more than 200 in renewed protests

HONG KONG, May 11: More than 200 individuals had been arrested throughout anti-government protests in Hong Kong on Sunday evening, police mentioned, as authorities search to forestall a revival of final yr’s large demonstrations, together with by means of the applying of anti-social gathering rules supposed to comprise the coronavirus outbreak.

Around 230 individuals between the ages of 12 65 had been arrested on a spread of expenses, together with illegal meeting, “possessing something with intent to destroy or harm property” failure to supply proof of identification, police mentioned in an announcement.

Another 19 individuals had been ticketed for having violated the Prevention Control of Disease Regulation, which prohibits gatherings of greater than eight individuals in any public house, the assertion mentioned. At one level, police used pepper rounds to disperse individuals who had surrounded officers, it mentioned.

“Police condemn protesters for disregarding the Government’s illness prevention management measures, collaborating in or organizing prohibited group gatherings,” the assertion mentioned.

Protesters later chanted slogans constructed limitations to dam roads in Hong Kong’s Mongkok district, set fires on some streets, based on police.

The nighttime road motion adopted a number of protests at procuring malls earlier Sunday attended by lots of, after permission for a Mother’s Day protest march was denied. Protesters organized primarily by means of social media are deming full democracy within the semi-autonomous Chinese territory an investigation into alleged police brutality in suppressing the demonstrations.

Last yr’s protests had been sparked by a now-aboned extradition invoice that will have allowed legal suspects to be despatched to mainl China to face trial. China’s judicial system is murkier than Hong Kong’s doesn’t assure the identical rights to the accused.

Hundreds of thouss of individuals marched by means of Hong Kong final yr in repeated demonstrations that always led to pitched battles, with hardcore protesters throwing gasoline bombs police utilizing tear fuel firing nonlethal however nonetheless highly effective projectiles.

A former British colony, Hong Kong was hed over to Chinese rule in 1997 with a assure that it may retain its personal authorized, financial social establishments for 50 years. Critics within the pro-democracy camp say Beijing has been steadily eroding these freedoms by means of tightened restrictions on meeting freedom of speech, together with proposed laws to criminalize the disrespecting of China’s nationwide anthem.