HK rioting charges suggest tough response to protesters

Bloomberg

Hong Kong’s decision to charge dozens of protesters with a colonial-era rioting charge that carries a 10-year prison term suggested that the government was heeding calls for a tougher response to the unrest.
The arrests of 49 people — including 44 on the rioting charge — drew outrage from pro-democracy groups and spurred hundreds of demonstrators to surround a police station calling for the suspects’ release. The chaotic scene raised fears of escalating violence after demonstrators scuffled with riot police and six protesters were injured outside another police station by fireworks fired from a passing car.
A similar crowd gathered to support the protesters during their arraignment at Eastern Magistrates’ Court, despite the howling winds and driving rain from an approaching typhoon. All were released on bail, save one who didn’t show up. The proceedings will resume on September 25.
“Liberate Hong Kong! Revolution of our time!” supporters shouted. The defendants ranged between 16 and 41 years old, including a pilot, a teacher, a nurse, clerks, cooks and 14 students.
The charges represent a shift for the Hong Kong government, which has refrained from employing the powerful rioting statute since Chief Executive Carrie Lam’s extradition legislation prompted mass protests in June. Rioting prosecutions in wake of a violent clash between police and anti-China radicals in 2016 prompted calls for the law’s repeal and led two suspects to recently secure refugee status in Germany.
“Young people will not be frightened by this thing,” opposition lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki said. “Using this kind of unreasonable prosecution and police force will only make Hong Kong worse.”