Hong Kong anti-mask law charges reach 16 following weekend of violent protests
- Another six men and eight women faced charges at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday
- Ban was imposed by the city’s leader Carrie Lam, when she invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance for the first time in over half a century
The six men and eight women faced charges at West Kowloon Court on Tuesday afternoon.
The new ban was imposed by the city’s leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor last Friday, when she invoked the Emergency Regulations Ordinance for the first time in over half a century.
A university student and an unemployed woman became the first to be charged under the new law and appeared in court on Monday.
On Sunday, a day after the anti-mask law came into effect, tens of thousands of people mostly wearing masks took to the streets in various districts across the city to protest against the legislation.
Hong Kong school week kicks off with citywide student protests against anti-mask law arrests
According to police, the 14 suspects were among 26 people – 14 men and 12 women – aged from 13 to 33, arrested in Wan Chai on Sunday.
“After police investigation and seeking legal advice, the 26 suspects were charged with taking part in riots,” police said in a statement.
Among them, six men and eight women were also charged under the anti-mask legislation.
The 26 suspects will appear in West Kowloon Court on Tuesday afternoon.
