Scholarism's Joshua Wong released at High Court judge's instruction

Student leader Joshua Wong Chi-fung was released unconditionally last night at the order of a High Court judge after more than 40 hours of detention without charge.

Mr Justice Patrick Li Hon-leung granted the writ of habeas corpus to Wong's lawyers, telling police the 17-year-old Scholarism leader (pictured) had been held for an "unreasonably long" time. He urged police to "fairly" treat two other detainees.

The two - Federation of Students leaders Lester Shum and Alex Chow Yong-kang - were released at about 11pm.

Government lawyers told the court Wong's release might undermine other investigations, but the judge ruled a "broad implication for further investigation" was insufficient. While his detention had been "lawful", keeping him longer than needed was "unlawful".

After his release, Wong - who claimed he had suffered bruises during his arrest - said he would return "to join the fight" after taking a short rest.

His lawyer, Michael Vidler, said: "The Department of Justice was seeking to impose conditions on his release and the court wouldn't have that at all."