97 protesters hauled to court over Sunday’s clashes on Hong Kong Island, with prosecutors accused of rushing charges
- At least half of the defendants charged with rioting are students
- They are among 146 people arrested when tens of thousands took part in an illegal march from Causeway Bay to Admiralty
Among those in the dock on Wednesday were two 14-year-old students, a doctor, a teacher, an editor of a student paper and the director of the Hong Kong Social Workers’ General Union, Hui Lai-ming.
But Hui, 50, and three others remained in hospital and did not show up at West Kowloon Court, where hundreds of family members, friends and supporters packed multiple floors and courts to attend the day-long hearing.
Acting chief magistrate So Wai-tak said courts could not interfere with prosecutorial decisions and adjourned the case to December 23, releasing 93 defendants on bail after the day-long hearing finally concluded at 10.45pm.
Those charged on Wednesday were among 146 people arrested during the clashes on Hong Kong Island on September 29, when tens of thousands took part in a march from Causeway Bay to Admiralty without seeking prior approval from police.