Hong Kong police arrest over 200 people, seize 188 petrol bombs in Saturday's violence

HONG KONG - The Hong Kong police said on Sunday that they have arrested over 200 people involved in the unlawful assemblies and violence on Saturday, and seized offensive weapons including 188 petrol bombs.

As of 1 am Sunday, over 200 people were arrested for offenses of unlawful assembly, possession of offensive weapon, criminal damage, and using facial covering while at an unlawful assembly, the police said in a statement.

Besides, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau arrested four men and a woman on Saturday for possession of offensive weapon.

In the operations, the police seized weapons including 188 petrol bombs, several extendable batons and pepper sprays.

Massive violent and vandalistic acts occurred in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon following unlawful assemblies on Saturday afternoon. Rioters blocked a number of thoroughfares, set fires to barricades, and hurled petrol bombs, bricks and hard objects at police officers.

Some rioters extensively vandalized and burnt selected shops and damaged mass transit railway (MTR) facilities in an organized manner. Some rioters even attacked passers-by, and placed nails on roads, threatening the safety of road users and residents nearby.

The police strongly condemned the rioters' violent and vandalistic acts which completely disregard law and order. "The continued vandalism is seriously affecting public order and people's daily living."

"Police reiterate that no violent behavior will be tolerated. Police will continue to take resolute enforcement action so as to safeguard the city's public safety and bring all lawbreakers to justice," the police said.