University of Hong Kong mulls criminal charges for students who stormed council meeting

The University of Hong Kong will report to police if, after consideration, it deems students acted criminally in storming a council meeting last month to protest the delayed nomination of a key management post.

Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Professor Chan Ka-keung also weighed in, saying local academia was afflicted by "too much politics".

The possibility that the on-campus chaos on the night of July 28 might become a police case emerged in an email HKU president Professor Peter Mathieson sent to staff, students and alumni on Friday night.

"If we find evidence of criminal offences having been committed we will report them to the police," Mathieson wrote. "Regarding possible disciplinary action against those responsible, a dossier of information including legal advice is being compiled. [This] will inform me as to whether there are grounds for any referrals to the university's disciplinary committee."

Mathieson added that security would be stepped up at future meetings to ensure safety.

He would not divulge details, citing "security reasons".