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Police condemned the violent acts by the protesters who attempted to enter the Legislative Council (LegCo) Building by force yesterday (June 13) and in the small hours of today (June 14).
Some protestors pushed the mills barriers and attempted to enter the LegCo Building through different doors by force, endangering their own safety and the safety of other people. Police, on the request of LegCo, provided assistance at scene. However, the protestors ignored Police's appeals and warnings, causing injuries of police officers and security officers as well as damages to the building.
Since there was a breach of the peace and public order, Police had to take action including the use of OC Foam to stop the protestors from entering the LegCo Building and defend against attack after repeated advice and warnings had failed, in a bid to ensure the safety of other people at scene. The situation was subsequently under Police control.
As the protestors refused to leave, Police had to take action to remove them upon the request of LegCo. During the operation, Police also arrested a total of 13 people, including 12 males and one female, aged between 19 and 39, for offences including "obstructing officer of the Council while in the execution of his duty", "obstructing police officer" and "assaulting police officer".
Police earlier had also arrested eight males, aged between 20 to 72, for offences including ¡§interrupting the proceedings of a committee while the committee is sitting¡¨, "obstructing officer of the Council while in the execution of his duty¡¨, "assaulting police officer¡¨ and ¡§obstructing police officer¡¨.
Police reiterate that we respect the public's freedoms of expression, speech and assembly and always handle public meetings, demonstrations and processions in a fair, just and impartial manner in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong.
It is the policy of Police to facilitate all lawful and peaceful public events while at the same time ensuring public safety and public order. Members of the public should comply with the laws of Hong Kong and maintain social order when expressing their views.
Ends/Saturday, June 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 06:54
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