HK masked activists nabbed

The Hong Kong government condemned the violence and vandalism of the masked rioters who plunged the city into its 18th straight week of chaos.

Masked protesters use umbrellas to hold frontline as they clash with police in Hong Kong, Oct 6, 2019. (VINCENT THIAN)

HONG KONG (China Daily) — One man and a woman, who were arrested for one count of violation to the Prohibition on Face Covering Regulation and one count of unlawful assembly in the early hours of 5 October, had their cases heard in Eastern Magistracy on Monday morning.

They are the first offenders arrested and charged under the newly enacted anti-mask law, which took effect on 5 October.

The two offenders were released on bail, but are required to submit travel documents, observe curfew order and report in person to the police station every week until their cases are heard again on 18 November at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts.

So far, the police has not disclosed number of arrests they made under the anti-mask law.

The duo’s arrest came at a time when Hong Kong was crippled once again by city-wide rampage of masked mobs. They blocked roads and smashed MTR stations, vandalized banks and shops in illegal assemblies at multiple locations on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. The mobs set fire on the streets, hurled petrol bombs at police and attacked people who confronted them.

The Hong Kong government condemned the violence and vandalism of the masked rioters who plunged the city into its 18th straight week of chaos.

A government spokesman noted that the mask ban was aimed at preventing further violence so that peace and stability could be restored in Hong Kong. The government urged the public not to engage in potentially illegal activities.