Seven Lawmakers Bailed After Court Appearance

Seven pro-democracy lawmakers appeared in Eastern Court on Monday accused of obstructing rival legislators from carrying out their duties, after chaotic scenes in Legco earlier this year over the now-withdrawn extradition bill.

Scuffles had broken out on May 11 as councillors from the two camps competed to hold their own versions of a bills committee to vet the legislation which sparked the city's ongoing unrest.

Chu Hoi-dick, Ray Chan, Lam Cheuk-ting, Gary Fan, Au Nok-hin, Leung Yiu-chung and Kwok Ka-ki are all charged with violating Article 19 of Legco's Powers and Privileges Ordinance.

Prosecutors allege the seven obstructed the DAB's Ben Chan, Holden Chow and Elizabeth Quat.

The case was adjourned to January 13 and the lawmakers were released on bail of HK$500 each.

The convenor of the pro-democracy camp, Tanya Chan, said the legal action against her colleagues is clearly a political prosecution.

"Instead of giving us a positive response regarding our five demands, our government laid charges against our legislators who pointed out the problems of this evil law," she said.