44 People Charged With Rioting in Hong Kong

Hong Kong: The Hong Kong police have charged 44 people, including a 16-year-old girl and over a dozen students, with rioting after a protest during the weekend brought parts of the city to a standstill, amid a political crisis that shows little signs of de-escalating. It marks the first rioting charges pressed during the eight weeks of anti-government protests that have rocked the semi-autonomous Chinese city, and those found guilty face up to 10 years in jail. The protesters are now demanding an independent inquiry into police action and resignation of the territory’s Chief Executive Carrie Lam and democratic reform. Forty-three of the 44 people charged with rioting appeared on Wednesday at the Eastern Magistrates’ Court, where the judge granted them bail, media reports said. (IANS)

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