Hong Kong police arrest over 300 rioters amid renewed violence

Police arrest people for illegal assembly, possession of offensive weapons and other offenses in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, south China, May 27, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of Hong Kong Police)

Over 300 people were arrested in Hong Kong for illegal assembly, possession of offensive weapons and other offenses, as rioters continued to wreak havoc in many districts across Hong Kong Wednesday.

HONG KONG, May 27 (Xinhua) -- As of 5:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday, over 300 people were arrested for illegal assembly, possession of offensive weapons and some other offenses, as rioters continued to wreak havoc in many districts across Hong Kong, police said.

There were sporadic violent and illegal acts across Hong Kong since small hours on Wednesday, including rioters setting fire to sundries, throwing large objects at metro railway tracks, and placing nails on the roads to pierce car tires, the Hong Kong police said in a press release.

The rioters disrupted metro train services and road traffic during rush hours in the morning in an attempt to obstruct a meeting of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Legislative Council (LegCo), where the Second Reading debate on the National Anthem Bill was scheduled to take place later in the day.

More illegal acts took place in the afternoon. In Mong Kok of Kowloon, rioters moved large objects such as road construction signs, water-filled barriers and boards to the center of the roads, and ran around on roads, ignoring the safety of road users. Serious traffic jams were caused by the wide scope of road blockage.

Police discover offensive weapons including hammers and petrol bombs from a 22-year old male's backpack in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, south China, May 27, 2020. (Photo Courtesy of Hong Kong Police)

In Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay and other places on the Hong Kong Island, there were large crowds gathering and clamouring. Police also discovered some offensive weapons such as nails and petrol bombs hidden by the rioters in public places, which is worrying, said the press release.

The police said they will continue to closely monitor security situation of all districts and enforce the law resolutely to effectively prevent and clamp down on any criminal acts. ■