Clashes Break Out Around Kwai Chung Police Station

A new round of clashes has broken out between anti-extradition protesters and police near Kwai Chung police station, hours after the government confirmed it had charged 45 people in connection with the anti-extradition protests in Western on Sunday evening.

As news of the charges emerged, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the station where it's believed the group was being held. They occupied parts of Kwai Chung Road and shouted slogans at officers, who stood guard outside, shining lasers at them.

The gates to the station were closed and police appealed to the protesters to leave. But at around 10.30 pm, some protesters starting hurling objects at officers outside the station compound, who countered with pepper spray. At one point, a police officer, who appeared to be cut off, put what looked like a shotgun to his shoulder after objects were thrown at him and a laser was shone at him.

Riot police with helmets, shields and batons were soon deployed to disperse the angry crowd.

The clashes also spilled over to nearby roads and bus station, causing some public transport to be suspended.

Some of the protesters also pelted eggs at the police station and sprayed graffiti on its walls

One piece of footage showed riot police clashing with crowd, which appeared to hold its ground. The officers then returned back into the station.

Later there were scuffles between a man and members of the crowd. The man received a cut to the head and was escorted away by police.

Forty-four people have been charged with rioting, one of them also faces one count of assaulting an officer. A 45th suspect was charged with possessing an offensive weapon.

They're due to appear in court on Wednesday morning. A person convicted of rioting can face up to 10 years in prison.

Shortly after midnight, the Transport Department announced that Kwai Chung Road, near Kwai Chung Police station, and some nearby roads were closed. It also said Kwai Fong bus terminal was closed, affecting over 30 bus routes. The roads reopened after 3 am after the protesters had left.

Overnight, anti-extradition protesters also gathered outside Tin Shui Wai police station. It is thought the protest began after police detained two young people who had got into a dispute with a man at a Lennon Wall.

Later six people at the Tin Shui Wai protest suffered minor injuries after fireworks were thrown from a passing car. It then sped off up Tin Yiu Road apparently causing a KMB car to swerve out of its way and crash into railings

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